■iKmrnm^A 



■A^- 



/%f 



5.V«r 



=^- 



-'%- 



f LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

a^ Shelf i__Xk.A "V 

I ^ 1^^^ , 

S UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I 




'^/j^jiA^c^ 



THE 



DISCIPLINE 



OF THE 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, 



OP 



INDIANA YEARLY MEETINCfj 

REVISED BY THE MEETING 

Held at White Water, in the year 1838, and 
printed by direction of the same. 




CINCINNATI: 

A. PUGH, PR., CORNER FIFTH AND MAIN ST. 

1839. 



.,'ns^ 



INDEX. 



Page. 

ADVICES— General, - 79 

To Ministers and Elders, 81 

APPEALS— General rules respecting, 13 

Manner of proceeding with females, 14 

Subordinate meetings may assume the consideration of 
offences, after their proceedings may have been decided 

to be irregular, 14 

ARBITRATIONS— General rules for conducting, 14 

Parties to enter into bond, 15 

Parties refusing to abide award should be complained of, 15 

Rules for second reference, 16 

Legal advice to be taken at joint expense of the parties, 

when necessary, 16 

Cases where resort to law may be admissible, viz. those 
in which absconding debtors, bankrupts, executors, ad- 
ministrators, and trustees are concerned, 17 

Proceedings where reference is unnecessary, 17 

Friends in the ministry iiot to be chosen as arbitrators,- 18 
BIRTHS AND DEATHS— Two members to be appointed to 

attend funerals, 18 

Proposals for meetings at funerals to be submitted to the 

elders and overseers, 18 

Two or more Friends to be appointed to the care of burying 

grounds, 19 

Burying grounds to bekept enclosed and in decent order,- 19 

Records of births and deaths to be kept, 19 

Forms, 20 

BLASPHEMY AND PROFANITY, 26 

BOOKS,— Meeting for Sufferings to examine all writings which 

relate to our religious principles, 20 

Heads of families to prevent the perusal of pernicious 

publications, ••' 20 

Plays, romances, and novels, to be suppressed, •- 21 



IV. INDEX. 

Page. 
CERTIFICATES,— Form of a certificate of removal, 97 

Form of a marriage certificate, 41 

Those for travelling Friends to be recorded and seasona- 
bly returned, • 21 

Tho^e for residents to be lodged with the Monthly Meeting, 21 

A record of all certificates issued, to be kept 21 

Monthly Meetings should send certificates where mem- 
bers remove withoutthem, 22 

Proceedings where oifenders remove, 22 

Proceedings where females remove, 23 

Proceedings when apprentices or minors remove, 23 

Disorderly persons appearing as members — how to be 

treated with," 23 

Certificates the propeity of Monthly Meetings, 24 

CHARITY AND UNITY, ■ 24 

CIVIL GOVERNMENT.— Members exhorted to decline offices, 
the duties of which may be inconsistent with our reli- 
gious principles, 24 

Proceedings with those who do not, 25 

CLERKS. — Annual appointment of, 96 

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.— Proceedings with any 
who may be guilty of lying, drunkenness, swearing, 
cursing, and other immoral or scandalous practices,--- 26 
Blasphemy and profanity, and denial of the divinity of 

Christ, 26 

Justice in dealings to be strictly observed, 26 

CONVINCED PERSONS.— Rule of admission to membership, 27 

In cases of females, 28 

CURSING, 26 

DAYS AND TIMES, 28 

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION, - 30 

DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE, 31 

Admonition to be extended to those who break the Disci- 
pline, 31 

Connexion and subordination of meetings, 31 

Rules for setting up and laying down meetings, 31 

Fair records of proceedings to be kept,-" 32 

Monthly Meetings should apply to Quarters for assistance 
in matters too weighty or difficult for them to determine, 32 



INDEX. V. 

Page. 
Copies of minutes, &c. to be granted wliere requested by 

another Quarterly or Monthly Meeting, 33 

The same may be granted or refused to individuals, 33 

Offenders not to sit in meetings for discipline after the 

charge is entered, until the case is determined,- 33 

Meetings for discipline to be kept select, 33 

Representatives to be appointed by Monthly Meetings to 

Quarter, 33 

Reports to be sent up signed by the Clerk, - 33 

Reasons for non-attendance to be forwarded, --•• 33 

Representatives not to withdraw without leave, 34 

Account of sufferings to be kept, 34 

The same to be annually forwarded to Quarter, and 

thence to the Meeting for Sufferings, 34 

Jugglers, Fortune -Tellers, and such like, 34 

Clerks — a committee to be annually appointed to nomi- 
nate, 34 

Preparative meetings to forward complaints and other 

business seasonably, 35 

DIVINITY OF CHRIST, 26 

DRUNKENNESS, 26 

DANCING, 35 

DIVORCES.— None to be permitted, 42 

FREEMASONS, - 35 

FEASTS AND HOLYDAYS, '• 29 

FORTUNE-TELLERS, 34 

GAMING AND DIVERSIONS, 35 

HORSE RACES, 35 

HIRELING MINISTERS, 75 

IMMORAL AND SCANDALOUS PRACTICES, -- 26 

JUSTICE, 26 

JUGGLERS, - 34 

LAW, • 36 

Members withholding debt to be urged to payment, 36 

Rules for insolvency, - 36 

Insolvent debtors should pay if they should ever after 

become able, • • 36 

Members not to be sued contrary to Discipline, 37 

LYING, - ^6 

1* 



VI. INDEX. 

Page. 
MARRIAGES, 37 

Certificates of clearness to be obtained where marriage is 

to be accomplished in another Monthly Meeting, 37 

Consent of parents or guardians to be obtained, 38 

No marriage is to be allowed sooner than a year after the 

decease of a former wife or husband, 38 

No grounds to be furnished for evil reports, &c. 38 

Unnecessary expense at entertainments and large com- 
panies discouraged, 38 

Members are not to attend marriages performed by a 

priest, or contrary to our order,- 39 

Nor are they to consent to their childrens' being present, 39 

General rules for the accomplishment of marriage, 39 

■ In case of a widow, having children, 40 

Marriage certificate, 41 

No divorces permitted, ■ 42 

Marriages of persons too near akin to be prevented, 42 

Parents and guardians to be dealt with who promote mar- 
riages contrary to our order, 43 

MEETING HOUSES, ■ 46 

MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE TO BE KEPT SELECT,- 33 

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, 47 

How constituted and when to be held, 47 

Rules of its business, 47 

What matters it may take cognizance of, 48 

Approved Ministers, &c. to have aseat, 49 

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP, ■ 49 

Tiiose who conduct disorderly in such meetings, or neglect 

to attend, should be treated with, 49 

MINISTERS AND ELDERS, and their meetings, 52 

Rules for the appointment of Elders, 54 

Elders not to remain such after removal, 55 

Rules for recommending Ministers, - 55 

Rules for liberating Ministers to travel, 56 

Ministers not to appoint meetings beyond their Quarterly 

Meeting, without leave, -■ 56 

No meeting of Ministers and Elders to interfere with the 
business of any meeting for Discipline, nor with the 
sittings of the Yearly Meeting, 58 



INDEX. vii. 

Page. 
Treatment of unfaithful Ministers, 58 

M0DERAT;I0N and temperance, 58 

Rules respecting the use, &c. of ardent spirits, 60 

MUSIC, ■ 35 

NEGROES AND SLAVES, 60 

OATHS, 64 

OFFENDERS not to sit in meetings for Discipline, 33 

OVERSEERS, 65 

PARENTS AND CHILDREN, 66 

Vain and extravagant fashions, &c. to be avoided, 69 

PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS, 70 

POOR, 74 

Women to inspect and relieve the wants of their ov(^n sex, 75 

PRIEST'S WAGES, - 75 

PREPARATIVE MEETINGS to forward complaints seasona- 
bly, 35 

PRIZE GOODS, 92 

QUERIES,— General, 76 

Annual, - 78 

For Ministers and Elders, 80 

REPRESENTATIVE'S, 33 

REPORTS, 33 

SCHOOLS, c 81 

SUFFERINGS,— Account of, to be kept, 34 

SCRIPTURES, • 82 

STOCK, - 83 

STAGE PLAYS, 35 

SWEARING, 26 

TAVERNS, ■ 83 

TESTIFICATION,— Form of- 97 

TESTIMONIES OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDG- 

MENTS,.= .? 84 

TALE-BEARING, — • 30 

TRADE, 86 

Accounts should be kept clear and accurate, 88 

One creditor not to be paid in preference to another, - 88 

Creditors should be called together, where failure is pro- 
bable, • 88 

Subscriptions, donations, or bequests not to be received 



VIII. INDEX. 

Page, 
from insolvent persons, previously to the payment of 

their just debts. 89 

Assignees and Trustees should be prompt in their action, 89 

WAR, 91 

Rules respecting distraints, furnishing conveyance for 

military stores, &c. 91 

Tax for purchasing drums, &c. cannot be paid, 92 

Attending at military operations, or joining with political 

devices, to be avoided, 92 

Also the purchasing or selling of prize goods, 92 

No fines, penalties, or taxes, to be paid instead of person- 
al services about war, either directly or indirectly,---- 93 

WILLS," 94 

YEARLY MEETING, / 95 

The time of holding, 95 

Representative s to meet and choose a clerk, 96 

Communications from other sources except usual corres- 
pondents, to be examined by a nomination, 96 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the morning of the gospel day, the apostles and 
disciples found it necessary to meet together for the 
consolation and strength one of another; when, pur- 
suant to the nature and design of the gospel, which 
brought peace on earth and good will to men, a care 
arose for the edification of the church, and that all, 
being of one family, might be of one mind. 

And as it hath pleased the great Head of the 
Church, to gather us a people to himself, and to in- 
spire us with degrees of the same universal love and 
good will, by which was ushered in the dispensation 
of the gospel, we are engaged not only to meet 
together for ' the worship of God, but also for the 
exercise of a christian care over each other, for the 
preservation of all in unity of faith and practice, 
answerable to the description which He, the ever 
blessed shepherd, gave of his flock, "by this shall all 
men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love 
one to another." John xiii. 35. 

For this important end, and as an exterior hedge 
of preservation to us, against the many temptations 
and dangers to which we are exposed,* the following 
rules, which have been occasionally adopted by the 
society, now form our code of discipline. In the 
exercise whereof, it is to be observed that if any 
member be found in a conduct subversive of its 
order, or repugnant to the testimonies with which 
we believe w^e are entrusted for the promotion of 
truth and righteousness, it becomes our indispensa- 
ble duty to treat with such in christian meekness 



i INTRODUCTION . 

and brotherly compassion, without unnecessary de- 
lay or improper exposure; according to the direc- 
tion of our Lord to his church, "if thy brother shall 
trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault, be- 
tween thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, 
thou hast gained a brother; but if he will not hear 
thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in 
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word 
may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear 
them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to 
hear the church; let him be unto thee as a heathen 
man, and a publican." Matt. chap, xviii. 15, 16, 17. 

This is the extent of the censure of the society 
against irreclaimable offenders, and whilst we dis- 
own them from being members of our religious com- 
munity, it is recommended to be done in such a 
disposition of mind, as may convince them, that we 
sincerely desire their recovery and restoration. 
From the right exercise hereof, we believe no de- 
gree of persecution or imposition can be justly 
inferred ; for the imposition rests on the part of those 
who (as has sometimes happened) insist on being 
retained as members, whilst at open variance with 
our religious body, either in principle or practice. 

For the more regular and effectual support of the 
order of the society, it will be observed, that besides 
the usual meetings for the purpose of divine worship, 
others for the exercise of our Discipline are insti- 
tuted, subordinate to each other; all of which are 
either immediately or remotely accountable to the 
Yearly Meeting. These meetings have distinct 
allotments of service, and experience has abundantly 
shown, that when this service is attended to in up- 
rightness and dedication of heart, with a single eye 
to the honor of our holy Head, and the benefit and 
edification one of another, in the love wherewith he 
hath loved us, our assemblies are favored with hi§ 
aid and direction. 



INTRODUCTION, 1 1 

Although this code of Discipline is printed for the 
use of our own society, yet should it meet the public 
eye, it is not doubted but the serious and candid 
reader will observe throughout the whole, the earnest 
endeavors of the Yearly Meeting for the promotion 
of virtue and religion. 

And whilst we earnestly recommend this work to 
the notice and regard of Friends, we are not without 
a clear prospect that an acquaintance with the letter 
of our Discipline, will be insufficient to produce the 
desired effect, unless, in the exercise thereof, we are 
careful to move and act under the immediate influ- 
ence of the spirit of Christ, in the pure love of the 
gospel. 

May we therefore, in our meetings for the exer- 
cise of the Discipline, humbly seek to be clothed 
with the spirit of wisdom and charity; this will divest 
the mind of a dependence on our own strength and 
abilities, endue us with patience and condescension 
towards each other, and being preserved in fellow- 
ship agreeably to the declaration of our Lord, " One 
is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren," 
a qualification will be experienced in our several 
stations and movements to build up one another in 
that faith which works by love, to the purifying of 
the heart. 

Nor can we conclude, without desiring in an es- 
pecial manner, that our youth of the present and 
succeeding generations may be early and fully 
instructed in our religious principles^ and in the 
nature and design of our Christian Discipline; and 
through divine assistance be enabled to adorn our 
holy profession by a conversation and conduct con- 
sistent with godliness and honesty; thereby avoiding 
the reproach which many, through a defection in 
principle, or a degeneracy in practice, have brought, 
both upon themselves and the religious body of 
which they profess to be members. 



THE DISCIPILINE 

OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, OF INDIANA 
YEARLY MEETING. 



APPEALS. 

Whilst the Yearly meeting, in granting the liberty 
of an appeal, considers it as a precious privilege, it 
is affectionately desired that all may be careful how 
they encourage persons of improper dispositions to 
trouble superior meetings therewith. 

If any be dissatisfied with, or think themselves 
aggrieved by the judgment of a Monthly meetings 
they may, after a copy of the testimony of disown- 
ment is delivered to them, notify the first or second 
Monthly meeting following, (but no other) of their 
intention of appealing to the ensuing Quarterly 
meeting, which notification, the Monthly meeting 
should enter on its minutes, and appoint four or 
more Friends, to attend the Quarterly meeting, 
with copies of the proceedings relative to the case, 
signed by the clerk, there to shew the reasons 
whereon that judgment was founded. The Quar- 
terly meeting is then to refer the same to a solid 
committee of Friends, noticing the propriety of any 
objection made by the appellant against persons 
thus nominated, (omitting those of the Monthly 
meeting from which the appeal comes,) and to 
confirm or reverse the said judgment, as on im- 
partial examination, shall appear to be right. 

When the Quarterly meeting's committee report 
their judgment, and the meeting is satisfied there- 
with, then a committee should be appointed to 
inform the appellant of the meeting's decision in 
2 



i 



14 ARBITRATIONS. 

the case. The committee should give him the 
information as soon after the Quarter as is practica- 
ble, and report to next meeting: and if the appellant 
is dissatisfied v^ith the meeting's decision, he may 
notify the first or second Quarterly meetmg after 
he receives such mformation, of his further inten- 
tion of appealing to the Yearly meeting, but not 
afterwards. The said Quarterly meeting, after 
recording such notification, is in like manner to 
appoint at least three Friends, to attend the Yearly 
meeting, with copies of the records of both Monthly 
and Quarterly meetings in the case, signed by their 
clerks; here it is to be finally determined, and a 
copy of the determination is to be sent to the 
Quarterly meeting from which the appeal came. 
Notices of appeals are to be forwarded from 
subordinate to superior meetings, in the regular 
reports of such meetings. 

In all cases of appeals, in which a female is an 
appellant, the notice should be first given to the 
women's meeting, and by them forwarded to the 
men's, and the business afterwards conducted by 
joint committees of men and women Friends ; the 
report of which united committee, is to be made to 
each meeting, and the women's meeting, having 
considered the same, are to convey their sense 
thereon to the men's meeting, where the subject 
should be considered and finally settled. 

But when the proceedings of a subordinate 
meeting are nullified in consequence of irregular 
proceedings, said meeting, or the overseers shall be 
at liberty to resume the consideration of the 
offence, and to proceed therein, according to gospel 
order. 

ARBITRATIOXS. 

When differences arise between our members in 
regard to their property, they are to proceed in the 
following manner : 



ARBITRATIONS. 15 

The party who thinks him or herself aggrieved, 
should in the first place, cahxily and kindly, request 
the other to comply with the demand ; and, if this 
be disputed, the complainant, or if residing at too 
great a distance, some Friend whom he or she may 
authorize, should take with him one or two of the 
overseers, or other discreet Friends, and in their 
presence repeat the demand. 

If this step also fail of the desired effect, the 
parties should be advised to choose a suitable 
number of friends as arbitrators, and mutually 
engage, by bond, or other written instrument 
adapted to the occasion, to abide by their deter- 
mination. 

Should this proposal be acceded to, and arbitrators 
accordingly chosen ; they ought as speedily as 
circumstances will admit, to appoint a time and 
place, and attend to the business without unneces- 
sary delay ; giving the parties a fair and full hearing, 
in the presence of each other, but listening to 
neither of them apart, nor suffering their own 
sentiments to be known abroad, till they have fully 
digested the subject, and come to a clear decision ; 
which they should be careful to do within the time 
agreed on. 

But if either of the parties refuse to submit the 
matter in dispute, to arbitrators ; or, when that is 
done, neglect to give his or her attendance when 
desired, without assigning a sufficient reason ; or 
not abide by their award when issued ; in either of 
these cases, the person so offending, should be 
complained of to the Monthly meeting of which he 
or she is a member; and if the brotherly endeavors 
and admonition of society in this capacity, fail to 
produce a conformity to justice in the case, the 
said meeting should proceed to disown the offender, 
unless such person make it evident to the satisfac- 
tion of the meeting, that the award or proceedings 
have been erroneous or unjust. In which case, 



1 6 ARBITRATIONS. 

the matter in dispute may be referred to the same, 
or other arbitrators, as the meeting shall judge best; 
and their award shall be final. Or should either 
party be dissatisfied with the award, and the sub- 
ject not be carried forward as a complaint, the 
party so dissatisfied, may apply to the Monthly 
meeting of which the other party is a member, for 
the privilege of another arbitration. In which case, 
a judicious committee should be appointed to 
examine the grounds of the complaint; and should 
it be made appear that the award is erroneous 
or unjust, (but not otherwise,) another trial may be 
granted before the same or other arbitrators, at the 
discretion of the meeting, for a final decision. 

After which, if either of the parties at variance, 
prove so regardless of peace and unity, as not to 
acquiesce in such confirmed, or corrected deter- 
mination, the Monthly meeting to which he or she 
belongs, should proceed to issue a testimony against 
the person so refusing. 

Where arbitrators are at a loss for want of legal 
knowledge, it will be proper for them, at the joint 
expense of the parties, to take the opinion of 
counsel learned in the law, in order to qualify them 
for giving a proper judgment in the matter referred 
to them. And that they may the better answer 
the end of their appointment, and be helpful in 
conciliating the minds of the parties, they ought not 
to consider themselves as advocates for those by 
whom they are chosen, but as men whose duty it is 
to judge righteously, fearing the Lord. They 
should shun all previous information respecting the 
case ; or, having heard any thing in regard to it, 
remain as much as possible unbiased thereby. 
They should reject no evidence or witness pro- 
posed ; nor receive any, but in the presence of both 
parties; and, in their award, they need not assign 
any reason for their determination. 

And whereas there may be some circumstances 



ARBITRATIONS. 1 7 

even in disputed matters, wherein the foregoing 
equitable mode of proceeding cannot be complied 
with; such as, first, the party absconding, or 
leaving the country with design to defraud his or 
her creditors ; or, second, apparent danger of bank- 
ruptcy, or being overloaded with debts, and other 
creditors generally coming on, which would occa- 
sion manifest damage to the claimant, by the time 
it would take in pursuing the above method; or, 
third, where there may be danger of damage, as in 
case of executors, administrators, or trustees : it 
may therefore be necessary, and it is directed, that 
the Monthly meetings where such cases happen, 
and on due inquiry appear truly so, do hold excused 
such as shall in the two first mentioned cases in 
this paragraph, appear to them really necessiated to 
proceed at law ; and in the latter case, of executors, 
administrators, or trustees, where it shall appear to 
the meeting, that the matter is of importance, and 
that our friendly way would be unsafe, such may 
be permitted to have the matter tried at law, with 
this caution, that the parties on both sides, behave 
towards each other in brotherly love, decency, and 
moderation, without anger or animosity ; which 
will be a becoming testimony, even in courts, and 
show that nothing but the nature of the case, and 
our station in common with others, under the laws 
of the land, take any of us there. 

As it may sometimes occur that a member, either 
for want of a clear understanding of the business, 
or through an improper influence, may present a 
complaint against another member, wherein the 
overseers, after fully hearing both parties, being 
decidedly of opinion that the case does not require 
a reference, they are to advise a speedy settlement 
thereof; which being inefl^ectual, and the com^ 
plainant remaining dissatisfied therewith, he may 
have liberty to inform the Preparative meetings 
2* 



18 BIRTHS AND DEATHS. 

where the other party is a member, (without men- 
tioning any name,) that having a matter in dispute 
with one of their members, he is desirous of their 
assistance in order to a settlement thereof. The 
said meeting is then to appoint a committee who 
are to give such advice and assistance in the case 
as they may apprehend necessary, but should they 
concur with the overseers, that a reference would 
not be proper, the complainant may have the 
privilege of requesting the assistance of the Monthly 
meeting, in like manner, where the question is to 
be finally determined whether the dispute ought 
to be submitted to referees, or the complaint 
dismissed. 

It is the desire of the Yearly meeting, that our 
members differing on account of worldly affairs, do 
avoid as much as possible to engage Friends in the 
ministry as arbitrators in such cases. 

BIRTHS AND DEATHS. 

Tv»^o or more suitable Friends of each particular 
meeting, should be appointed by Monthly meetings 
to attend at the funerals of our members, for the 
assistance of those concerned, and to see that good 
order is observed. 

In order that meetings may not be held at the 
interment of our deceased members, in a formal 
way, or as a customary circumstance, the proposal 
for holding any such meeting, should be previously 
submitted to the consideration of the elders and 
overseers, (or other solid Friends,) either of the 
meeting to which the deceased belonged, or of that 
within the compass of which the interment is to 
take place; that the direction of truth may be 
waited for and followed. 

And to prevent the introduction of improper 
interments amongst us — two or more Friends 
should be appointed by Monthly or Preparative 



BIRTHS AND DEATHS. 19 

meetings, (as the case may require.) to the care of our 
several burying grounds, and that no person who was 
not a member be buried therein, without a written 
permit, signed by one or two of those Friends; 
who should take care that such interment comport 
with our plain order : also that our burial grounds 
be properly enclosed and kept in decent order. 

It is further desired, as becoming the solemnity 
of the occasion, that at all interments, time be 
allowed for a pause, both before and after the 
corpse is put into the ground, in order that the 
impressive iufluence of an occasion so awful, may 
have its proper effect upon the minds of those who 
are present. 

Friends are also enjoined, to maintain our testi- 
mony against affixing monuments of any description 
to graves, for the purpose of distinction, in any one 
of our burying grounds ; and if any yet remain 
therein, that they be forthwith removed ; and that 
they avoid the imitation of the custom of wearing 
or giving mourning habits, and all extravagant 
expenses on account of the interment of the dead. 

As great inconvenience may arise from a want 
of due attention to keeping a regular record of 
births and deaths, it is enjoined upon each Monthly 
meeting, to appoint a careful Friend, whose duty 
it shall be, to keep in a book provided at the 
expense of the Monthly meeting, for the purpose, a 
record of all births and deaths of members, which 
occur withm their respective limits, or which shall 
be offered to him for that purpose. But should the 
birth have occurred out of the limits of the meeting 
within which it may be desired to record it, an 
explanatory note should be inserted in the record. 
And in order to engage the attention of Monthly 
meetings more closely to this subject, it is further 
enjoined, that committees be appointed annually to 
examine the records, and to extend such care as 
may appear necessary to effect the object. 



20 



BOOKS. 



The following forms of the records are proposed^ 
being both simple and explicit. 



BIRTHS. 



Names of the 
Children. 


When Names of the 
born. Parents. 


Their resi- Occasional 
dence. notes. 












DEATHS. 


Names of the 
deceased. 


When 
dec'd. 


Age. 


Where ] Late re- 
buried. 1 sidence. 


Occasional 
notes. 















BOOKS. 

It being a business assigned to the Meeting for 
Sufferings, to take the oversight of all writings 
proposed to be printed, which relate to our religious 
principles or testimonies, our members who may 
have it in prospect to publish any such writings, 
are to lay ihem before said meeting, for its advice 
and concurrence. And if any of our members 
shall print or publish any wanting against the advice 
of said meeting, or w4:iich shall have a tendency to 
excite disunity and discord, such persons should be 
complained of to the Monthly meeting to which 
they belong, and if they cannot be convinced of 
the impropriety of their conduct, and condemn the 
same, io the satisfaction of said meeting, they 
should be disowned, as opposed to the peace and 
good order of society. 

It is considered incumbent on parents and heads 
of families, to prevent as much as possible, all those 
under their direction, from perusing those pernicious 
publications w^hich are v/ritten for the purpose of 
weakening the authority of the chistian religion, or 
exciting doubts concerning the authenticity of the 
Holy Scriptures, and those saving truths declared 



CERTIFICATES. 21 

in them ; lest the immature and feeble minds of 
such, should be poisoned thereby, and a foundation 
laid for the greatest evils. It is also enjoined on 
all the members of our religious society, that they 
discourage and suppress the reading of plays, 
romances, and novels, which being written by 
persons of corrupt minds, have a tendency to 
awaken and invigorate those impure propensities, 
" which war against the soul," and which it is the 
duty and interest of every christian mind to keep 
in a state of suppression. 

CERTIFICATES. 

Quarterly and Monthly meetings are to take 
care, that all certificates or minutes which may be 
given to any Friends traveling in the service of the 
ministry be recorded, and upon the return of such 
Friend, seasonably delivered back to the meeting; 
and that all certificates of removal brought by any 
Friends intending to become residents, shall be 
lodged in the Monthly meeting, where the same are 
accepted, and also, that every meeting keep a 
record of all certificates which they give forth. 

We feel it our concern to caution Friends to be 
very circumspect how they remove themselves and 
families. It having been observed, that the dissolv- 
ing of old, and forming of new connections, have 
in some instances been attended with effects 
prejudicial to a growth in the truth, both in the 
heads and younger branches of families, especially 
where the inclination to such removals hath 
originated in worldly motives. And the religious 
growth and establishment of children, being the 
most interesting, ought to be the principal engage- 
ment of the minds of parents, it is the affectionate 



22 CERTIFICATES.. 

desire of the Yearly meeting, that in putting them 
forward in a way of life, the probable effect it may 
have on their mmds, be the chief object in view. 
In these cases, we recommend to our m.embers, 
both young and old, to give close attention to the 
pointings of Divine Wisdom, and also timely to 
consult experienced Friends, previously to their 
fixing a resolution of changing their residence. 

When certificates of removal from one Monthly 
meeting to another, are received, the persons 
recommended shall be considered members of the 
meeting to which they remove. 

All members removing beyond the limits of their 
Monthly meetings, whether for a permanent or 
only a certain limited time, are to apply to their 
respective meetings for certificates directed to those 
within the limits of which they propose to sojourn 
or settle. But if any shall remove without so 
applying, the Monthly meeting of which they are 
members, after making the usual inquiry, and finding 
no obstruction, should wdthoutimproper delay, send 
certificates for them, to the Monthly meetings 
within the limits of which they have removed, but 
if their previous conduct require that they be 
treated with, and the distance be such as to render 
it inconvenient for the meetings they removed 
from, the Monthly meetings,, within the verge of 
which they are, should be requested to treat 
with them, and report the effect of their care; on 
which, if it prove satisfactory, certificates of re- 
moval may be directed ; but if otherwise, and 
testimonies of disunion be issued ; the meeting 
where they reside, should be furnished with copies 
thereof, to be delivered to the parties with informa- 
tion of their right of appeal. 

If the person removed or about to remove be a 



CERTIFICATES. 23 

female, the women's Monthly meeting is to appoint 
two or, more of their members, to make the neces- 
sary inquiry, and prepare a certificate accordingly; 
which after being considered in the women's, is to 
be laid before the men's meeting; and when there 
approved and signed, returned to the women's 
meeting for their signature. But if the certificate 
is intended to include one or more males, then the 
women are to report the result of their inquiry to 
the friends named on the like inquiry by the men's 
meeting; in which the certificate being approved 
and signed, is to be sent to the women's meeting 
for their concurrence and signing. And all cer- 
tificates received for women friends, are to be laid 
before the men's meeting, before they can be fully 
accepted by the women's meeting. The personal 
attendance of such women friends therewith in 
men's meeting is not required. 

Where apprentices, or person's under age, are 
under a necessity of going from one place to 
another, their parents or guardians, masters or 
mistresses, should apply for certificates for them, 
recommending them to the care and oversight of 
the Monthly meetings, whereunto they remove. 

If any persons appearing as Friends, come within 
the compass of any Monthly meeting, not being 
recommended by certificates, and be of disorderly 
conduct, the overseers, or other concerned Friends, 
should inquire whether or not they are members of 
our society; and if they prove so to be, admonish 
them, or if the occasion require it, report the case 
to the Preparative, and from thence to the Monthly 
meeting ; which should thereupon inform the 
Monthly meetings of which they are members, of 
the circumstances, and take the direction of said 
meeting, for treating further with them, agreeably 
to- our rules in cases of that nature. 

Monthly meetings are to take due care, that 



S4 CHARITY AND UNITY. CIVIL GOVERMENT. 

certificates of removal be seasonably forwarded, by 
suitable conveyances, to the Monthly meetings to 
which they are directed; they being the exclusive 
property of such meetings. 

CHARITY AND UNITY. 

Where there is any appearance of dissension, or 
of resentment and shyness amongst our members, 
the parties should be timely and tenderly apprised 
of the danger to which they expose both themselves 
and others, and earnestly exhorted to mutual con- 
descension and forgiveness, becoming the followers 
of Christ ; and if any, notwithstanding such en- 
deavors for their welfare, continue to manifest an 
implacable enmity to others, the overseers or other 
judicious Friends of the Preparative or Monthly 
meeting, to which they belong, should be informed 
thereof; who are to labor further with them; when 
if they still prove inflexible, they ought to be 
complained of to the Monthly meeting to which 
they belong, which, after laboring with them with- 
out the desired effect, ought to testify against them 
as out of the unity of the body; the very end of 
the existence of which is, to promote peace on 
earth, and good will amongst men. 

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 

Liberty of conscience being the common right of 
all men, and particularly essential to the well-being 
of religious societies, we hold it to be indispensably 
incumbent upon us, to maintain it inviolably 
amongst ourselves; and therefore exhort all in pro- 
fession with us, to decline accepting any office^ or 
station in civil government, the duties of which 
are inconsistent with our religious principles; or in 
the exercise of which they may be, or apprehend 
themselves to be, under the necessity of exacting 
from others any compliances against which they 
are conscienciously scrupulous. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 25 

If any persons in membership with us, notwith- 
standing the preceding admonition, shall persist in a 
conduct so repugnant to our principles, it is the 
sense of the Yearly Meeting, that they be treated 
with as in other cases of offence; and if they cannot 
be brought to see and acknowledge their error, the 
Monthly Meetings to which they belong should pro- 
ceed to testify against them. 

It is also our judgment, that Friends ought not, in 
any wise, to be active or accessary in electing, or 
promoting to be elected, their brethren or others to 
such offices or stations in civil government, the exe- 
cution whereof tends to lay waste our christian 
testimony, or subject their brethren or others to 
sufferings on account of their conscientious scru- 
ples. The principle of truth calls us out of con- 
tention; it even seeks not its own ends by means 
productive of animosity; much less therefore should 
its professors indulge themselves in strife for objects 
of a perishing nature. 

Believing, therefore, that we are called to shew 
forth to the world, in life and practice, that the 
blessed reign of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace? 
is begun, and we doubt not, will proceed until it 
attain its completion in the earth, when according 
to the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah, "Nation 
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall 
they learn war any more," we cannot consistently 
join with such as form combinations of a hostile na- 
ture against any; much less in opposition to those 
placed in authority; nor can we unite with or en- 
courage such as revile or asperse them, for it is 
3 



26 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

written, " Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of 
thy people." Acts, xxiii and 5th. 

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

Such are to be treated with, as are guilty of lying, 
drunkenness, swearing, cursing; together with every 
other immoral or scandalous practice: and when per- 
sons are guilty in these respects, or any of them, 
after being treated with by the overseers or other 
concerned Friends, if they be brought to a sense of 
the iniquity thereof, such offenders are without im- 
proper delay, to remove the scandal, and clear, as 
much as possible, our holy profession therefrom, by 
acknowledging and condemning the offence, in wri- 
ting, under their hands, to the satisfaction of the 
Monthly Meetings, to which they belong. And if 
any such offenders refuse to acknowledge and con- 
demn their faults, the said meetings, ought speedily 
to testify against them. 

If any in membership with us shall blaspheme, or 
speak profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or 
the Holy Spirit, they ought to be timely and ear- 
nestly treated with for the convincement of their 
understandings, that they may experience repen- 
tance and forgiveness: but should any, notwith- 
standing such brotherly labor, persist in their error, 
or deny the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, 
or the authenticity of the scriptures; as it will be 
thereby manifest that they are not one in faith with 
us, the Monthly Meetings where they belong, ought, 
after the aforesaid earnest and religious endeavors 
without effect, to declare the same and issue their 
testimony accordingly. 

It is the earnest concern of the Yearly Meeting, 
that in all our dealings and transactions among men, 
strict justice may be observed, and that no motives 
of pecuniary interest may induce any of our mem- 
bers to impose upon each other, or upon any with 



CONVINCED PERSONS. 27 

whom they may have corpmercial intercourse ; and 
it is directed that Monthly Meetings be careful to 
extend suitable admonition against all deviations in 
these respects, for the help and recovery of delin- 
quents; and as it is obvious that there can be no just 
pretensions to religious rectitude, v^ithout a confor- 
mity to moral justice, Monthly Meetings are author- 
ized to disown those, who will not be reclaimed by 
their brotherly endeavors in these respects. 

And believing, as we do, that meekness, modera" 
tion, and mercy, are among the distinguishing traits 
of the Christian character, we are concerned to 
caution our members against the indulgence of pas, 
sion, or the exercise of cruelty, even towards the 
brute creation, which a benificent Providence has 
made subservient to our comfort and convenience. 

CONVIJSCED PERSONS. 

It is directed that the following order be observed 
respecting persons who apply for admittance into 
membership. They are to apply to the overseers, 
who, when they are easy so to do, are to lay the 
case before the Preparative Meeting; and after that, 
meeting is fully satisfied, by paying a visit or other- 
wise, they are to lay it before the Monthly Meeting; 
which meeting shall appoint some suitable Friends 
to inquire into the lives and conversation of the 
applicants, and also to take solid opportunities of 
conference with them, in order the better to under- 
stand whether their motives for such requests be 
sincere, and on the ground of convincement; and 
report their sense thereof, with which, if the meet- 
ing be satisfied, a minute should be made signifying 
the acceptance of such into membership, and ap- 
pointing a Friend or two to acquaint the persons 
thereof. 



28 DATS AND TIMES. 

When females apply for admittance into member- 
ship, women Friends are to extend the necessary- 
care, as expressed in the foregoing paragraph, until 
their Monthly Meeting becomes satisfied to receive 
them, the men's meeting should then be informed of 
the case, and if that meeting unite in judgment with 
the women Friends, a minute thereof should be 
formed, and the care of informing the person re- 
ceived, left with the women's meeting. But should 
the men, on considering the case as reported from 
the women's meeting, not be easy to admit the 
applicants into membership, without appointing a 
committee to visit them, they may be at liberty to 
appoint a few judicious Friends to unite with a com- 
mittee of women Friends to take further opportu- 
nities of conference w^ith them, the report of which 
united comaiittee is to be presented to the women's 
meeting, and with their sense thereon conveyed to 
the men's meeting, where the case is to be con- 
sidered and finally settled. 

But in all cases, Friends are exhorted to attend 
carefully to the advice of the apostle, "Lay hands 
suddenly on no man." The neglect of such caution 
having often been injurious both to the individuals 
and to society: to them, by settling them in a false 
rest; and to society, by adding to its numbers without 
increasing its joy ; both of which, being circumstances 
of acknowledged importance. Monthly Meetings 
are desired to be weighty in their deliberations and 
results, on all such occasions: and when united in 
believing that the applicants are clearly convinced 
of our religious principles, and in a good degree 
subject to the government of the divine witness in 
their own hearts, manifested by circumspection of 
life and conduct, the said meetings should receive 
such into membership. 

DAYS AND TIMES. 
As we are persuaded that no religious act can be 



DAYS AND TIMES. 29 

acceptable to God, unless produced by the influence 
and assistance of his Holy Spirit, it is our judgment 
that our members cannot consistently join with any 
in the observance of public fasts, feasts, or what are 
termed holy-days, or such injunctions and forms as 
are devised by the will of man in regard thereto: for 
though exterior observances of a similar kind were 
once authorized under the law, as shadows of things 
to come, yet they who come to Christ, will, we be- 
lieve, assuredly find that in him all shadows end; 
and that "he hath obtained a better ministry, by 
how much also is he the Mediator of a better cove- 
nant, and established upon better promises." Heb. 
viii and 6. — " Let no man therefore, says the apostle, 
judge you in meat or drink, or in respect of an holy- 
day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days, 
which are a shadow of things to come, but the body 
is of Christ." Col. ii. 16 and 1 7. — The same apostle 
also thus expostulates with some, who it appears had 
fallen from the true faith in these respects: "But 
now, after that ye know God, how turn ye to the 
beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be 
in bondage? ye observe days and months and times 
and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed 
upon you labor in vain." Gal. iv. 9, 10 and 11. 

Wherefore, under an humble and grateful sense of 
the abundant mercies and favors of our heavenly 
Father, let us, as a religious society, continually 
feel our hearts filled with thanksgiving and praise to 
him; an aspiration which is ever his due, and to be 
acknowledged by his creatures with the deepest 
reverence, and not with the " bowing of the head 
like a bulrush for a day," nor with those tumultuous 
demonstrations of joy, and nightly illuminations, 
which are generally attended with rioting, drunken- 
ness, and many other excesses incompatible with the 
christian name. 

Whilst, therefore, it is the earnest concern of the 
Yearly Meeting that we may be found worshippers 
3^ 



30 DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 

within the temple, it is affectionately desired that 
our members may be individually cautious not to 
give occasion of additional suffering to the truly 
conscientious amongst us, by any compliance with 
such observances as our worthy ancestors, were 
rightly concerned to bear testimony against. 

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 

As the manifest tendency of the mischievous spirit 
of talebearing and detraction, is to lay waste the 
unity of society, by disseminating discord and strife 
among brethren and neighbors; Friends are enjoined 
to watch over themselves and each other, in order 
to discourage and suppress every appearance of 
such dispositions. The order prescribed by our 
blessed Lord should be strictly observed in every 
case of apprehended injury — viz. "If thy brother 
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault 
between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, 
thou hast gained thy brother; but if he will not hear 
thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in 
the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word 
may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear 
them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to 
hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen 
man and a publican." 

It is further directed, that, in whomsoever this 
weakness appear, it may be immediately checked; 
and if any give way to it, to the obvious injury of 
the reputation or interest of others, let them be 
faithfully admonished, by elders, overseers, or other 
concerned Friends; and if they persist, or cannot be 
prevailed with to give due satisfaction, the Prepa- 
rative, and (if expedient) Monthly Meetings should 
be informed of it, and treat further with them; when, 
if this also fail to produce the desired effect, they 
should be disowned. 

Should any offenders in these respects shelter 
themselves under a pretence, that they say no more 



DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 31 

than they have heard from others, but refuse to dis- 
cover who those are, such should in like manner be 
treated with as tale-bearers, and testified against. 

DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 

The existence of our Meetings for Discipline, 
having, on experience, been found extensively ben- 
eficial, it is earnestly recommended that they may 
be maintained in that authority wherein they were 
established; for, where any have been negligent in 
attending them^ or opposed to their usefulness, it 
has been perceived that carnality and spiritual 
death have been the consequence. 

Where any transgress the rules of our discipline, 
they vshould, without partiality, be admonished, and 
sought in the spirit of love and divine charity, so 
that it may be seen by all, that the restoring dispo- 
sitions of meekness and christian affection abound, 
before church censure takes place; that a gospel 
spirit is the spring and motive of all our perform- 
ances, as well in discipline, as in worship. 

The connexion and subordination of our Meetings 
for Discipline are thus: Preparative Meetings are 
accountable to the Monthly; Monthly to the Quar- 
terly; and Quarterly to the Yearly Meetings; so 
that if the Yearly Meeting be at any time dissatis- 
fied with the proceedings of any inferior meetings: 
or a Quarterly Meeting, with the proceedings of 
either of its Monthly Meetings; or a Monthly Meet- 
ing with the proceedings of either of its Preparative 
Meetings; such meetings ought, with readiness and 
meekness, to render accounts thereof when required; 
and correct or expunge any of the minutes, ac- 
cording to the direction of the superior meeting. 

No Quarterly Meeting should be set up or laid 
down, without the consent of the Yearly Meeting; 
no Monthly Meeting without the consent of the 
Quarterly Meeting; nor any Preparative or other 
meeting for business or worship, until application to 



32 DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 

the Monthly Meeting be first made; and, when 
there approved, the consent of the Quarterly Meet- 
ing be also obtained. Also, no meeting for worship, 
intended to consist of Friends belonging to two or 
more Monthly Meetings, shall be established, until 
the proposal be offered to, and approved by, those 
Monthly Meetings, and the consent of their res- 
pective Quarterly Meeting or meetings be obtained; 
when the meeting proposed, is opened, it should be 
attended by a few solid Friends, deputed by each 
of the said Monthly Meetings. And if at any 
time it be thought expedient, that a Preparative 
Meeting should be held at the same place, the con- 
sent of the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings 
should be in like manner applied for and obtained ; 
and the Preparative Meeting should be annexed to 
either of those Monthly Meetings, as may appear 
most likely to conduce to the benefit and conve- 
nience of the individuals who compose it, and the 
advantage of society. 

Monthly Meetings may be at liberty to indulge 
meetings under the care of a committee, whose 
duty it shall be to report every three months, the 
situation and number of such indulgences, which 
report the Monthly Meeting should forward to the 
Quarterly Meeting: and that no marriage shall be 
consummated at such meeting until it is known to 
the Quarter. 

It is directed that a book be provided by every 
Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and fair records 
kept therein of their proceedings. Monthly Meet- 
ings, particularly, are advised to attend to, and 
finish all such business with care and despatch, that 
it may, at no time, sufl^er by improper delay; and 
if any case under consideration, prove too w^eighty 
or difficult for them to determine, they should apply 
to their respective Quarterly Meetings for assis- 
tance; or, if the circumstances be such as to require 
it, refer it thereto by minute. 



DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 33 

It is the conclusion of the Yearly Meeting, as a 
general rule in all cases, that where any Monthly or 
Quarterly Meeting has occasion for, and requests 
copies of any papers, minutes or records of another 
Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, the same should be 
accordingly granted. 

Where any difference happens among Friends, 
and the same be entered in any Monthly or Quar- 
terly Meeting book, if the parties, or either of 
them think that copies of such entries may be 
useful, or necessary for them, and request the same; 
such Monthly or Quarterly Meetings shall have a 
discretionary power to give or refuse such copies, 
according to the circumstances and motives at- 
tending. 

After a charge against a member for disorderly 
conduct, is entered on the minutes of a meeting for 
Discipline, he or she should not be permitted to sit 
in any of our Meetings for Discipline, until the case 
is determined, and the meeting satisfied. 

And it is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting 
that elders, overseers, and others concerned, for 
the support of the discipline, exercise a care that 
our meetings for business be kept select, not per- 
mitting those who have not a right of membership 
among us to sit in those meetings. / ' 

It is directed, that a suitable number of Friends 
be appointed in each Monthly Meeting, representa- 
tives to attend the service of the Quarterly Meeting, 
with such reports in writing, signed by the clerk, as 
may be given them in charge: also, that at least four 
Friends be appointed, for the like service, in each 
Quarterly Meeting, to attend the Yearly Meeting. 
And it is earnestly advised and desired, that all 
Friends who submit to these important services, 
may be punctual in their attendance; or if prevented 
by sickness, or any other unavoidable occurrence, 
that they be careful to send information thereof ; 
also, that those who are under appointments to at- 



34 DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. ' 

teid meetings as representatives, do not withdraw 
therefrom before the conclusion of such meetings, 
without obtaining the consent thereof. 

It is also directed, that Friends keep an account 
of such sufferings to which they may be subjected 
from the world, maintaining those testimonies of 
truth, v/hich we believe it is our duty peculiarly to 
bear: and that Monthly Meetings use suitable en- 
deavors, that such accounts may be collected and 
transmitted to the Quarterly Meetings; and when 
there approved, that Quarterly Meetings forward 
them annually to the Meeting for Sufferings. 

Children whose parents have been members after 
marriage, or married according to our order, and 
one of them disowned before the birth of their chil- 
dren, are to be considered as members. But where 
only one parent shall have been 7'eceived, the chil- 
dren are not to be considered as having a. right of 
membership, unless their parents should request for 
them, in which case it is left to the discretion of 
Monthly Meetings. 

If any member of our religious society shall dis- 
cover so much weakness of mind as to apply to 
those called Jugglers, or Fortune-Tellers, or to 
those who by pretending to any art or skill what- 
ever profess a knowledge of future events, hidden 
transactions, or where things lost or stolen may be 
found; or if any of our members shall use or pre- 
tend to such art or skill; under a just abhorrence 
of such delusion, it is directed that they be speedily 
treated with, and if they do not manifest a due 
sense of their evil conduct, that they be disowned. 

A committee should be annually appointed, in 
each of our Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, to 
nominate clerks ; which may afford opportunity for 
their being seasonably changed, and more of our 
qualified members exercised in those services. 

As the use and design of Preparative Meetings 
are, in general, to digest and prepare business as oc* 



■^GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 35 

casion may require, which may be proper to be laid 
before Monthly Meetings; Friends ought to be 
careful therein, not to occasion unnecessary delays, 
or undertake to decide on any business which pro- 
perly belongs to Monthly Meetings; and. when it is 
concluded to carry any cases forward, they should 
be entered in writing, and some suitable Friend or 
Friends named, to produce them to the Monthly 
Meeting: proper notes whereof should be carefully 
preserved by clerks of Preparative Meetings. 

GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 

Friends are fervently exhorted to watch carefully 
over the youth, and others of our society, who may 
be so inclined, to prevent them by affectionate 
counsel and brotherly admonition, from frequenting 
stage-plays, horse-races, music, dancing, and other 
vain sports and amusements; also, in a particular 
manner, from being concerned in lotteries, w^agering, 
or any kind of gaming; it being abundantly obvious, 
that those practices have a tendency to alienate the 
mind from the council of divine wisdom — and to 
foster those impure dispositions which lead to de- 
bauchery and wickedness. If, therefore, any of 
our members fall into either of these practices, and 
cannot be prevailed with by private labor to decline 
them, the Monthly Meetings to which they belong, 
should be informed thereof, and if they cannot be 
reclaimed by further labor, should proceed to dis- 
own them. 

It being obvious that the public entertainments, 
and the vain and ostentatious processions of those 
called Free Masons, are altogether inconsistent 
with our religious profession: if therefore any of 
our members shall join therein, or unite in member- 
ship with them, they are to be treated with as in 
other cases of disorderly conduct, and if after ten- 
der admonition and brotherly labor they cannot be 
dissuaded therefrom they are to be disowned. 



36 LAW. 

LAW. 

If any of our members be complained of for with- 
holding a just debt, they should )je tenderly urged 
to payment; and if this be unavailing, they should 
be treated with as in other cases of disorderly con- 
duct; and if any appear unable to satisfy their cred- 
itors, they should be advised to call them together 
without loss of time, and submit the state of their 
affairs to their inspection ; when, if the creditors ap- 
prehend a surrender of the debtor's effects neces- 
sary, the)?- ought to consent, and if they refuse so 
to do, the Monthly Meetings of which they are 
members should be informed; when, if the party 
still persist in refusing, they should be disowned 
without too long delay.^ 

But, if any in such difficult circumstances, mani- 
fest an honest intention, and shall offer their all to 
their creditors, without preference, let compassion 
and aid be extended to them as brethren, and objects 
of christian charity ; having done what they could, no 
more for the present, can be justly expected from 
them. Yet it is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, 
that if persons so failing in their circumstances should 
at any time thereafter be favored with ability to pay 
off their deficiencies, justice will require it of them, 
notwithstanding a composition with and legal dis- 
charge from their creditors may have been ob- 
tained. This is however not meant to furnish any 
with a pretext for advancing such claims, while 
persons so deficient are honestly laboring to re- 
trieve their circumstances, nor until it shall clearly 
appear to their respective Monthly Meetings, or 
judicious committees thereof, that sufficient ability is 
arrived at; w^hen, if they be requested to comply, 
and persist in refusing, the said meetings should pro- 
ceed to disown them. 

And it is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, 



MARRIAGES. 37 

that if any members of our religious society, disre- 
garding the gospel order prescribed by our Discipline, 
shall arrest or sue at law other members, (not being 
under such a necessity so to do, as has been ex- 
plained under article Arbitration,) they, in so doing, 
do depart from the peaceable principles of which 
we make profession: and if on being treated with 
by the Monthly Meetings to which they belong, 
they cannot be prevailed^ with to withdraw the 
suit, and pay the cost thereof, they should be dis- 
owned. 

MARRIAGES. 

It is affectionately desired by the Yearly Meeting, 
that all young or unmarried persons in membership 
with us, previously to their making any procedure 
in order to marriage, do seriously and humbly wait 
upon the Lord for his counsel and direction in this 
important concern; and when favored with satisfac- 
tory clearness therein, they should early acquaint 
their parents or guardians with their intentions, and 
wait for their consent: thus preservation from the 
dangerous bias of forward and uncertain affections, 
would be experienced, to the real benefit of the par- 
ties, and the comfort of their friends. And it is 
earnestly recommended to Friends, that they ten- 
derly and carefully watch over the youth, and ex- 
tend seasonable caution and admonition relative to 
this interesting subject as occasion may require. 

A single person about to marry at a distance from 
home, is to procure from the Monthly Meeting to 
which he belongs a certificate of his right of mem- 
bership, and clearness from any other person in res- 
pect to marriage engagements, and, in applying for 
such certificate, the name of the woman should be 
given to the Monthly Meeting. He should also ob- 
tain the consent of his parents or guardians therein; 
and none are to be permitted to join themselves in 
4 



38 



MARRIAGES. 



marriage until such certificates, and the consent of 
their parents or guardians thereto, be also signified, 
in person or by writing, where it is practicable, or 
can be reasonably obtained. But as there is tender- 
ness due to children and wards, as well as to parents 
and guardians, it is not to^ be understood that mar- 
riages are to be prohibited, on account of improper 
objections on the part of the latter; but that Monthly 
Meetings exercise righteous judgment in such cases. 

No Monthly Meeting is to permit any marriage 
to be proposed therein sooner than one year after 
the decease of a former husband or wife. 

The Yearly Meeting being tender concerning 
marriage, desires that no misdemeanor be treasured 
up against a person, until the time of presenting 
marriage to the meeting, and then disclosed, though 
perhaps long before done and known to those who 
so object to it at that time, which being a wrong 
thing, should be checked and prohibited in all 
meetings. 

It is recommended to Monthly Meetings, that ac- 
cording to the ancient and decent practice amongst 
Friends, they take care, that such men and women 
Friends as make or receive proposals of marriage, 
do not dwell in the same house, from the commence- 
ment of such concern until the marriage is accom- 
plished: that no grounds may be furnished for evil 
reports or surmises, but our holy profession be main- 
tained unsullied in the view of men. 

No marriages are to be accomplished in or imme- 
diately after any of our Monthly Meetings, or other 
meetings of business. And it is desired, that on 
these occasions. Friends in affluent circumstances, 
particularly, may be careful to set a becoming and 
encouraging example of moderation; avoiding un- 
necessarily expensive entertainments, and large 
companies: How much better would such superflu- 
ous expense be employed in relieving the necessi- 



MARRIAGES. 39 

ties of the poor; and especially guarding against 
inviting such as guests who are unlikely to conform 
to the order of our religious society. 

Let such of our members be admonished, as keep 
company in order for marriage, with persons not of 
our society, or with any bound servants or appren- 
tices, without the leave of their masters or mis- 
tresses; or who are either present themselves, or 
consent to their children's being present at mar- 
riages performed by a priest. And where any are 
present at the marriage, or marriage entertainment 
of a member, accomplished contrary to our order, 
they are to be treated with, and where they cannot 
be brought to a sense of their error, let them be 
disowned. 

Where parents or guardians have approved the 
visits or addresses of a man (a member of our reli- 
gious society) to any of their children or those under 
their care, they ought not to retract the same, with- 
out giving such reasons as shall be satisfactory to 
the Monthly Meeting whereto they belong. 

For the accomplishment of marriage the follow- 
ing order is to be observed: The parties are to 
inform the men's and women's Monthly Meeting, in 
writing, under their hands, that they intend marriage 
with each other. The notice should be minuted in 
each meeting, and two women Friends are to be ap- 
pointed to make inquiry respecting the woman, and 
if the parties are both members of the same meet- 
ing, two men Friends should also be appointed to 
make inquiry respecting the clearness of the man, 
in regard to any other marriage engagements. If 
the parties have parents or guardians present, their 
consent should be expressed ; or if the man be a mem- 
ber of another Monthly Meeting, the consent of his 
parents, if he have any, should be produced in wa^it- 
ing, either then or at the next meeting, with a 
certificate from his Monthly Meeting of his clearness 
from other like engagements. 



40 MARRIAGES. 

If the woman be a widow, having children, two 
or more Friends should be appointed in the meeting 
of which she is a member, to see that the rights of 
her children be legally secured. At the next meet- 
ing, if the committees report that careful inquiry 
has been made, and no obstruction to the further 
proceedings of the parties appear, the man, at a pro- 
per time, should be accompanied into the women's 
meeting by a Friend nominated thereto; there the 
parties are to declare the continuance of their in- 
tentions of marriage with each other; and then pro- 
ceeding to the men's meeting they should make the 
same declaration there; the meetings are then to 
leave them at liberty to accomplish their marriage, 
according to our rules, and appoint two Friends of 
each sex, to attend and see that good order is ob- 
served: Marriages are to be solemnized at the usual 
Week-day Meetings for Worship, or at a meeting 
appointed, at a seasonable hour in the forenoon on 
some other convenient week-day, and at the meeting 
house to which the woman belongs. Previous notice 
to Friends generally, in the latter case, being given. 

Towards the conclusion of the said meeting, the 
parties are to stand up, and taking each other by 
the hand, are to declare in an audible and solemn 
manner to the following effect: the man first, viz. 
" Friends, in the presence of the Lord, and before 
" this assembly, I take this my friend D. E. to be my 
"wife; promising, with divine assistance, to be unto 
"her a loving and faithful husband, until death shall 
"separate us;" and then the woman in like manner: 
"Friends, in the presence of the Lord, and before 
"this assembly, I take this my friend A. B. to be my 
"husband; promising, with divine assistance, to be 
"unto him a loving and faithful wife, until death 
" shall separate us." 

The marriage certificate is then to be audibly 
read by some proper person, the express names and 
description of the parties being first inserted. They 



MARRIAGES. 41 

are then to sign the same : the man first, then the 
woman, with the adopted name of her husband : 
the relatives next as witnesses, and such others pre- 
sent as are disposed to subscribe their names. 

It is further directed, that the said marriage be 
accomplished decently, gravely, and weightily; and 
the parties themselves, their parents and others con- 
cerned, do take care at the houses or places where 
they go, after the solemnization is over, that no re- 
proach arise, or occasion of offence be given, by 
any intemperate or immoderate feasting or drink- 
ing, or by any unseemly, wanton, or rude discourses 
or actions; but that all behave with such sobriety 
as becomes a people fearing God ; and that the com- 
pany retire to their homes in seasonable time. And 
if any thing to the contrary be observed, the over- 
seers, or other concerned Friends present, ought, as 
speedily as they conveniently can, to take such 
aside who make any breach upon good order, and 
in an affectionate manner admonish them to abetter 
behaviour; and the said overseers are to make report 
to the Monthly Meeting, whether good order has 
been observed, and take care that the marriage 
certificate be returned in order to be recorded. 
The form of which certificate shall be as follows: 

Whereas, A. B. of in the county 

of , in son of C. B. of , and H. 

his wife ; and D. E. daughter of F. E. of and 

M. his wife, having declared their intentions of 
marriage with each other, before a Monthly Meeting 

of the religious society of Friends, held at 

(where the parties are under the care of parents or 
guardians, unless in the case of unreasonable objec- 
tions, add) and having consent of parents or guar- 
dians concerned (as the case may be) their said 
proposals of marriage were allowed by said meeting. 
These are to certify whom it may concern, that for 
the full accomplishment of their said intentions, 
4* 



42 MARRIAGES. 

this day of the month, in the year of our 

Lord , they, the said A. B. and D. E. appeared 

in a public meeting of the said people held at 

aforesaid; and the said A. B. taking the said D. E. 
by the hand, declared that he took her the said D. 
E. to be his wife, promising, with divine assistance, to 
be unto her a loving and faithful husband until 
death should separate them: and then the said D. 
E. did in like manner declare, that she took him the 
said A. B. to be her husband, promising, with divine 
assistance, to be unto him a loving and faithful wife, 
until death should separate them. And moreover, 
they, the said A. B. and D. E. (she according to the 
custom of marriage, adopting the name of her hus- 
band) did, as a further confirmation thereof, then and 
there to these presents set their hands. A. B. 

D. B. 

And we whose names are also hereunto sub- 
scribed, being present at the solemnization of the 
said marriage have, as witnesses thereto, set our 
hands the day and year above written. 

It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting that 
members of our society cannot consistently with 
our religious profession, avail themselves of any 
legal privilege in dissolving the marriage contract. 

That the marriages of persons too nearly related 
may, as much as in us lies, be prevented, it is the 
conclusion of the Yearly Meeting that no marriage 
between any so near as first cousins, nor the chil- 
dren of half brothers or half sisters, shall be per- 
mitted among us. In relation therefore to this in- 
teresting testimony, it is the affectionate desire of 
the Yearly Meeting, that where there is occasion 
to apprehend that any of our members are likely to 
join in marriage with persons thus related, or with 
those who are not in membership with us, or that 
any are about to depart from our deliberate, fair, 
and honorable order of marriage, by which that 



MARRIAGES. 43 

right which belongs to society to investigate the 
clearness of the parties, relative to the consent of 
their parents or guardians, as also the further neces- 
sary inquiry, how far such individuals are clear of 
other marriage engagements, and of all clandestine 
proceedings whatever, together with that particular 
and religious mode of accomplishing marriage, es- 
tablished by us, under the influence of Divine wis- 
dom, are wholly avoided and disregarded, that 
elders, overseers, and other religiously concerned 
Friends, considering it as a duty, be engaged to take 
early opportunities for advising and admonishing 
them against such procedure, (at least two Friends 
uniting in such service ;) but should the party or 
parties, notwithstanding, depart from our well 
known and established order. Monthly Meetings 
should treat with such, as in other cases of offence, 
and if not brought to acknowledge and condemn 
their misconduct, they are to be disowned. 

And if any parents or guardians consent to, or 
promote the marriages of their children and those 
under their care, (members of society,) contrary to 
our established order; if after brotherly labor has 
been extended to them, they cannot be brought to 
a due sense of their error, and make a satisfactory 
acknowledgment for the same. Monthly Meetings 
are authorized to disown them. 

It is further recommended, that parents exercise 
a religious care in watching over their children, and 
endeavor to guard them against improper or unequal 
connexions in marriage: that they be not anxious 
to obtain for them large portions and settlements, 
but that they be joined to persons of religious in- 
clinations, suitable dispositions, and diligence in 
their business; which are necessary to a comfortable 
life in a married state. 



44 MARRIAGES. 

The increase of the breaches of our testimony, 
in going from amongst us in the weighty engage- 
ment of marriage, being, we fear, often for want of 
due care in parents, and those who have the import- 
ant charge of educating youth, early to admonish 
and instruct them in the principles of truth, and im- 
press their minds with the duty of religiously ob- 
serving them; as much as possible restraining them 
from such company as will be likely to entangle 
their affections improperly; we therefore tenderly 
exhort Friends in all quarters to increase their care 
over the youth, that the consistency of our princi- 
ples in all respects with the nature of true religion, 
may be impressed on their tender minds, by upright 
examples, as well as by precepts; and that where 
there is apparent danger of the affections of any 
being improperly entangled, and the care of parents 
or guardians, or those who have the oversight of 
them, appears not sufficient to prevent their taking 
imprudent steps in the accomplishment of marriage, 
care be taken, timely, to apply for the assistance of 
their Friends. 

Marriage being a divine ordinance; and a solemn 
engagement for term of life, is of great importance 
to our peace, and well-being in this world, and may 
also prove of no small consequence respecting our 
state in that which is to come; yet it is often too in- 
considerately Entered into, and upon motives incon- 
sistent with the evident intention of that unerring 
wisdom by which it was primarily ordained: which 
was for the mutual assistance and comfort of both 



MARRIAGES. 45 

sexes, in spirituals and temporals, that their endeavors 
might be united for the education of their children in 
the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and for 
the discharge of their duty in their various allot- 
ments in the world. 

Marriage implies union, as well in spiritual as 
temporal concerns. Whilst the parties differ in 
religion, they stand disunited in the main point; 
even that which should increase and confirm their 
mutual happiness, and render them meet-helps and 
blessings to each other. Where it is otherwise, the 
reciprocal obligation into which they have entered, 
becomes their burden; and the more so, as it may 
not be of a short duration. Whatever felicity they 
might have flattered themselves with in the begin- 
ning, they have found themselves disappointed of, 
by the daily uneasiness accompanying their minds, 
and embittering their enjoyments. 

The perplexed situation of the offspring of such 
alliances, is also to be lamented: attached by na- 
ture to both parents, their confusion often renders 
them unfixed in principle, and unsettled in practice; 
or if, as is usual, the sons attach themselves to the 
father, and the daughters to the mother, brothers 
and sisters are trained up in lines of conduct diverse 
from, and in some instances opposite to each other; 
thus differing in principle, they are frequently divi- 
ded in affection, and though so nearly related, are 
sometimes at the greatest distance from that love 
and harmony which ought continually to subsist 
between them. 



46 MEETING HOUSES. 

To prevent falling into these disagreeable and 
disorderly engagements, it is requisite to beware of 
the paths that lead to them — the sordid interests 
and ensnaring friendships of the world, the contam- 
inating pleasures and idle pastimes of earthly minds; 
also the various solicitations and incentives of fes- 
tivity and dissipation. Let our dear youth like- 
wise avoid the too frequent and too familiar con- 
verse with those from whom may arise a danger of 
entanglement, by their alluring the passions and 
drawing the affections after them. 

For want of due watchfulness and obedience to 
the convictions of Divine Grace in their con- 
sciences, many amongst us have wounded their own 
souls, distressed their friends, injured their families, 
and done great disservice to the church, by their 
unequal connexions; which have proved an inlet to 
much degeneracy, and mournfully affected the 
minds of those who labor under a living concern 
for the good of all, and the prosperity of truth upon 
earth. 

MEETING HOUSES. 

Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are directed to 
make timely and careful inspection into the situa- 
tion of the titles of meeting houses, and burial 
grounds; and other estates which have been vested 
in trustees, and by them held for the use and benefit 
of the society at large, or of any of those meetings; 
so that if it should appear needful, by the death of 
any such trustees, or otherwise, due and seasonable 
care may be taken to appoint some others to the 
trust: that future difficulties and the risk of being 
deprived of such estates may be avoided. And it 



F 



MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 47 

is further directed, that Quarterly and Monthly 
Meetings respectively, as the case may require, 
keep exact records of all such trusts and convey- 
ances, and also that a clear and regular account be 
kept by each respective meeting, of the place 
where, and the persons with whom, the papers, 
minutes, and records belonging to our religious so- 
ciety, are from time to time deposited; wherein due 
care should be taken to lodge them with suitable 
Friends. 

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 

In order that the Yearly Meeting, with its several 
branches, might be properly represented, during the 
recess thereof, a meeting has been instituted by the 
name of the " Meeting for Sufferings^ " which is to 
consist of twenty-six Friends, appointed by the 
Yearly Meeting, and four Friends appointed by each 
of the Quarterly Meetings ; who are to meet at White- 
water meeting house, in Wayne county, Indiana, at 
eleven o'clock on Second-day preceding the Yearly 
Meeting, and at ten o'clock on Fifth- day preceding 
the first Seventh-day in the Sixth month; but the 
said meeting is privileged to sit on its own adjourn- 
ments, or to call a special meeting whenever four 
members shall judge it necessary; and is to be sub- 
ject to the following rules: 

I. The said meeting shall keep fair minutes of all 
its proceedings, and annually lay them before the 
Yearly Meeting. 

II. No less number than twelve of the members 
attending, shall constitute a meeting, capable of 
transacting business. 

III. On all occasions of uncommon importance, 
previous notice thereof shall be given or sent to all 
the members, if practicable. 

IV. In case the decease of any member, or mem- 
bers, appointed either bv the Yearly Meeting, or 



48 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 

Quarterly Meetings, should not be immediately 
supplied — or of any declining or greatly neglecting 
their attendance, the Meeting for Sufferings, are to 
notify said meeting, or meetings, of such death or 
delinquency, in order that the places of those may 
be supplied by new appointments. 

V. The said meeting is not to adopt any article 
of faith or discipline, which has not been determined 
by the Yearly Meeting. 

The further services confided to the said Meeting 
for Suflferings are: 

I. In general to represent the Yearly Meeting, 
and to appear on its behalf, in cases where the in- 
terest or reputation of our religious society may 
render it needful. 

II. To take the oversight and inspection of all 
writings proposed to be printed, relative to our reli- 
gious principles or testimonies; and to promote or 
suppress the same at their discretion; also to print 
and distribute any writings already published by the 
society, or which may be offered for inspection as 
aforesaid, and approved; and in all cases where ex- 
penses are incurred, in the execution of the duties 
assigned them, they are to draw on the treasurer 
of the Yearly Meeting for such sums as may be 
necessary, 

III. To inspect and ascertain titles to lands, or 
other estates belonging to any of our meetings; also 
to attend to the appropriation of charitable legacies 
and donations; or to give such advice respecting 
the same as may appear necessary. 

IV. To receive from the several Quarterly Meet- 
ings their annual accounts of sufferings, and also 
such memorials concerning deceased Friends, as 
those meetings may have concurred with: that 
when examined and approved, they may be laid 
before the Yearly Meeting. 

V. To extend such advice and assistance, to any 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 49 

individuals under sufferings for our testimonies, as 
their cases may require; and if necessary, to apply 
to the government, or persons in authoritv, on their 
behalf. 

VI. To correspond with such other Meetings for 
Sufferings, as are or may be established by any 
other Yearly Meeting ol' our religious society, on 
the common concerns of the society. 

It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that a 
Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, or committee of 
the Yearly Meeting, should not petition or memo- 
rialize Congress or a Legislature, in the name of the 
society, — but that if any necessity require, in any 
case of emergency, a meeting of the Meeting for 
Sufferings should be called, to which the subject of 
petition should be presented, and in the recess of 
the Yearly Meeting, full powers are conferred on 
the Meeting for Sufferings to act, as in their judg- 
ment, the case may require. 

Approved ministers, and members of any other 
Meeting for Sufferings, corresponding with this, 
may also be permitted to attend its sittings, when 
they are so inclined. 

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 

It is directed, that those who come late to meet- 
ings, or, when there, fall asleep, or are restless, or 
do not stay in the meeting, but go forth un- 
necessarily, or otherwise demean themselves un- 
becoming our holy profession, on these solemn 
occasions, be tenderly treated with and seasonably 
admonished: and that Friends who are exercised in 
the discipline, pay early attention, in the love of the 
gospel, to such as neglect their duty in attending 
our Meetings for Worship. A wilful neglect in this 
important duty, being a manifest evidence of in- 
gratitude to the Divine Author of all our mercies, 
anci contrary to the practice of the primitive he- 
5 



50 f M MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP, 

lievers in Christ, and our religious testimony — it is 
the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that Monthly 
Meetings, after having fully discharged their duty 
towards such, and finding their endeavors to reclaim 
them ineffectual, should testify our disunity with 
them. 

It is the fervent concern of the Yearly Meeting, 
to press upon the consideration of our members, the 
awful duty of pure and spiritual w^orship. It is not 
enough that, after the example of our forefathers, 
we meet together in one place, in outward silence; 
rejecting those forms and ceremonies which were 
invented by the wisdom, as well as that worship 
which is performed only in the will of man; it is 
not enough that w^ith a commendable diligence, we 
attend all our religious meetings; unless also, like 
them, we wait in humble reverence for spiritual 
ability to worship acceptably the Lord of heaven 
and earth. May we therefore humbly and diligently 
wait in the spirit of our minds, for the coming of 
Him who told his disciples, 'Hvithout me, ye can do 
nothing f^ that we may experience the influence of 
his spirit, to enlighten and quicken the soul to a true 
sight of its condition ; that feeling the spirit of supplica- 
tion, we may approach the throne ofgrace; and under 
a renewed sense of the Father's mercy and goodness, 
may be enabled to offer the tribute of worship and 
the sacrifice of praise. 

This is. the important purpose of our assembling 
together in silence: and though at times there may 
be amongst us but little instrumental ministry, or 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 51 

even none, let not this produce any abatement of 
diligence in the duty. Instrumental ministry, in 
the life and power of the gospel, is a great favor to 
the church; but the distinguishing excellence of the 
christian dispensation, is the immediate communica- 
tion with our Heavenly Father, through the inward 
revelation of the spirit of Christ. May, therefore, 
the deportment of our members, while engaged in 
this most solemn duty, be such as to demonstrate 
that they are earnest in the great duty of waiting 
upon, and worshipping God, in spirit; that serious 
and tender hearted inquirers may be encouraged to 
come, and partake in our assemblies of that in- 
ward and spiritual refreshment and consolation, 
which the Lord is graciously pleased to impart to 
the souls of such as are humble in his sight, and 
approach his holy presence with reverence and 
fear. 

It is further directed, that Friends keep their 
children, and such (members) as are under their 
care, to a constant, seasonable, and orderly atten- 
dance of meetings, both on First-days, and on other 
days of the week, instructing them agreeably to the 
ability received, to wait in stillness upon the Lord, 
that they may receive a portion of his spiritual 
favor, and from the tendering virtue of his Holy 
Spirit, may be engaged, in heart and mind, to walk 
worthy of so great grace, and in a holy zeal for his 
honor, submit to bear the cross, endure the shame? 
and become dedicated witnesses for him among men. 



52 MEMORIALS. MINISTERS AND ELDERS, fcc. 

As the appearance of drowsiness in our religious 
meetings is offensive, and may be a cause of stum- 
bling to such sober inquirers as come among us, 
Friends are earnestly exhorted to strive against it, 
that no appearance thereof may be seen in our as- 
semblies; and if any give way to it, (as indulgence 
therein, must necessarily have a disqualifying influ- 
ence,) it is the desire of the Yearly Meeting, that 
Quarterly, Monthly, and other meetings, be cautious 
of employing such members, in the weighty services 
of discipline. 

MEMORIALS. 

To commemorate the lives of the righteous, is a 
tribute due to their memory; and may prove an in- 
centive to the living to follow after their virtues. If, 
therefore, any Monthly Meeting should, upon solid 
consideration, believe that it would be profitable to 
prepare a memorial concerning a deceased member, 
such memorial is to be sent to the respective Quar- 
terly Meeting, where it is to be further considered; 
and if approved, is from thence to be forwarded to 
the Meeting for Sufferings, in order for inspection 
and approbation, previous to its being laid before the 
Yearly Meeting. 

It is also required, that Quarterly and Monthly- 
Meetings furnish the Yearly Meeting, annually, 
with an account of the decease of such of their 
members, in the station of ministers or elders, as 
have occurred within the year. 

MINISTERS AND ELDERS, 

AND 

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 

Persuaded as we are, that gospel ministry is not 
©f man, but by the revelation of Jesu3 Christ, agree- 
ably to that apostolic charge — "As every man hath 
♦'received the gift, even so minister the same one to 



MINISTERS AND ELDERS, fcc. 53 

" another, as good stewards of the manifold grace 
"of God; if any man speak, let him speak as the 
"oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it 
"as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all 
"things may be glorified." 1. Peter, iv. — 10, 11. 
Holding it therefore to be a doctrine truly christian, 
that the spirit of God is the foundation of all true 
knowledge in relation to that duty which we owe to 
Him, and one to another, we earnestly exhort, that 
those aaiongst us who apprehend that they are 
called to the ministry of the gospel may, in their 
public services especially, attend closely to their 
several and peculiar gifts, waiting for that divine 
ability by which they may faithfully and availingly 
minister the word. 

We also desire with earnest solicitude, that those 
who are placed in the very important department oi 
elders in the church, may evince a correspondent 
qualification rightly to judge of the ministry, and 
manifest a concern for the support of our religious 
testimonies, and the preservation of our discipline, 
as well as for the' advancement of truth and righ- 
teousness. 

Ministers and elders thus united, become mutually 
useful to each other; and are as nursing fathers and 
mothers in the church: particularly to those who 
are young in the ministry: for this class we earnestly 
desire, that they may, with all care and diligence, be 
advised and admonished; and, if occasion appear, re- 
proved in a tender and christian spirit ; let them also be 
exhorted frequently to read the holy scriptures, and 
earnestly to seek the mind of the spirit of truth, to 
open the mysteries contained in them. Ministers 
thus abiding in a simple and patient submission to 

the will of God, and keeping down to the openings 
5* 



54 MINISTERS AND ELDERS, fec. 

of divine life in themselves, may witness a growth 
in their gifts, and will also be preserved from ex- 
tending their declarations further than they find the 
power of truth to accompany them. 

If any, in the course of their ministry, shall mis- 
apply, or draw unsound inferences, or wrong con- 
clusions from the text, or shall misbehave themselves 
in point of conduct or conversation, let ihem be ad- 
monished in love and tenderness, by the elders or 
overseers where they live; and if they prove refrac- 
tory, and refuse to acknowledge their faults, they 
must be further treated with, in the wisdom of truth, 
as the case may require. 

As the occasion of our religious meetings is 
solemn, a care shouM be maintained to guard against 
any thing that would tend to disorder or confusion 
therein; when any think they have aught against 
what is publicly delivered, they should speak to the 
party privately; and if any shall oppose a minister 
in his or her preaching or exhortation : or keep on 
the hat, or shew any remarkable dislike to such 
when engaged in prayer, let them be speedily ad- 
monished in such manner as may be requisite, un- 
less the ministry of the person against whom the 
uneasiness is expressed, has been disapproved by 
the Monthly Meeting. 

In every Monthly Meeting two or more Friends 
of each sex are to be selected to sit with the minis- 
ters, and they together are to compose a meeting, to 
be denominated a Preparative Meeting of Ministers 
and Elders* Care should be taken that those cho- 
sen for the service be prudent discreet Friends, 
and that they duly discharge the trust confided to 
them. 

When there is occasion for the appointment of 
one or more Elders in any meeting, the nomination 



MINISTERS AND ELDERS, &C. 5i5 

of a Friend or Friends for that station should take 
place in the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and 
Elders, and, when concurred in, the proposition 
should be forwarded to the Quarterly Meeting of 
Ministers and Elders, by which, if united in, it should 
be transmitted to the Preparative Meeting of Minis- 
ters and Elders, which may then introduce the pro- 
position to the consideration of the Monthly Meet- 
ing of men Friends, if the case be that of a man, 
and to the w^omen, if the person be a female, where 
the subject is to be considered, and if united with, 
by both men's and women's meetings, they are to 
be appointed, and information given to the Prepara- 
tive meeting of Ministers and Elders, and by them 
forwarded to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers 
and Elders. 

Certificates of removal are not to convey the 
rights of Elders, but the division of a Monthly- 
Meeting is not to render the re-appointment of 
Elders necessary. 

But when a Monthly Meeting is divided, should 
there not be a sufficient number of ministers and 
elders to compose a Select Meeting, within each of 
those Monthly Meetings, the members in both shall 
continue to compose one Preparative Meeting, until 
the number shall be sufficient to compose two. 

When any Friend has frequently appeared in our 
religious meetings as a Minister, and the Preparative 
Meeting of Ministers and Elders apprehends that 
it is seasonable the subject should claim the atten- 
tion of the Monthly Meeting for Discipline, of which 
the person is a member, the Select Preparative and 
Quarterly Meetings shall proceed as in the case of 
appointing Elders; and until the approbation of the 
Monthly Meeting is obtained, no such Friend is to 
be received as a minister, nor permitted to sit in the 
Meetings of Ministers and Elders, nor allowed to 
travel abroad as a minister* 



5G MINISTERS AND ELDERS, &C. 

When any approved minister apprehends it to be 
a duty to travel in the service of truth, beyond the 
limits of their Quarterly Meeting, he or she is to 
open their concern in the Montlily Meeting both of 
men and women Friends, to which they belong, 
and obtain a certificate or minute (as the occasion 
may be) of their unity and concurrence, directed to 
Friends within the parts proposed to be visited, and 
signed by the clerks of the men's and women's 
meeting; and it is required, that when the service 
is accomplished, the said meeting be informed 
thereof, and the certificate returned, without unne- 
cessary delay. 

No minister is to appoint a meeting beyond the 
limits of the Quarterly Meeting to which he or she 
belongs, without the concurrence of their respec- 
tive Monthly Meetings. And if a minister is con- 
cerned to appoint a meeting within the verge of 
the Quarter, if to wait for the approbation of the 
Monthly Meeting appears to interfere with the pro- 
per time for appointing such meeting, the united 
sense of the elders of the Monthly Meeting of which 
he or she is a member, or of those of the Monthly 
Meeting within the compass of which such appoint- 
ment is proposed, may be accepted as sufficient 
privilege. 

When any minister is religiously concerned to 
make a general visit to the meetings of Friends, 
either within or beyond the limits of the Yearly 
Meeting, and has obtained a certificate for that pur- 
pose from the Monthly Meeting of which he or she 
is a member, the certificate must also be laid before 
the respective Quarterly Meeting; and if the con- 
cern is concurred with, an endorsement must be 
entered upon the certificate, and signed by the clerks 
of the men's and women's Meetings. 

The Ministers and Elders of each Monthly 
Meeting are required to meet once in three months, 



MINISTERS AND ELDERS, &C. 57 

at such time and place as the Monthly Meeting may 
direct, in the capacity of a Preparative Meeting of 
Ministers and Elders: when, after a time of solid 
retirement, the queries addressed to such meetings 
are to be read and considered, and distinct answers 
made to them in writing, which, when signed by 
the clerk, are to be conveyed to the ensuing Quar- 
terly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, by two or 
more Friends to be mentioned in the report, as rep- 
resentatives; here also, if, in the course of inquiry, 
any deficiency has appeared, care should be taken 
that it be remedied. 

And in the Quarterly Meetings the same queries 
are also to be read, together with the answers 
which are brought from their Preparative Meetings. 
In these meetings the state of the members is to be 
weightily considered, that where occasion requires 
it, advice and counsel may be seasonably extended; 
and once in the year, those answers comprised in a 
written report and signed by the clerk, are to be 
forwarded to the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and 
Elders, by four or more Friends appointed as repre- 
sentatives; in this meeting the queries are also to 
be read, with the answers from the several Quarters, 
and the state of this part of the society being col- 
lected and considered, advices adapted thereto, may, 
if requisite, be issued to the subordinate Select 
Meetings. Here all such ministers as apprehend 
they are required to go in truth's service beyond 
sea, after obtaining a certificate of the concur- 
rence of the Monthly Meeting, endorsed by the 
respective Quarter, are to communicate their pros- 
pects of duty relative thereto, and produce the said 
certificates; and if upon solid consideration, the 
same are united with by the said Meeting of Minis- 
ters and Elders, a certificate thereof, signed by th© 
clerk, should be granted. 

None of the said Meetings of Ministers and 



58 MODERATrON AND TEMPERANCE. 

Elders are in any wise to interfere with the business 
of any meeting for Discipline; nor is tiie Yearly 
Meeting of Ministers and Elders to suffer its ad- 
journments to interfere with the sittings of the 
Yearly Meeting for Discipline. 

And finally, if any acknowledged member of our 
Meetings of Ministers and Elders shall at any time 
be thought, by negligence, unfaithfulness, or other- 
wise, to have lost his or her service in that station, 
so as to become burthensome and the subject of un- 
easiness, (yet not so as to be under the care of a 
meeting of Discipline on that account, or for mis- 
conduct) it is advised, that a timely and tender care 
be extended to such person, according to gospel 
order; first by the individuals concerned, and then 
by the Preparative Meeting; of Ministers and Elders 
to w^hichhe or she may belong; should these labors 
prove unavailing, report of the case should be made 
by that meeting to the Quarterly Meeting of Min- 
isters and Elders, where a few Friends should be 
deputed to assist the said Preparative Meeting, in a 
further extension of labor with the party: if this 
also prove unavailing, and on report thei-eof to the 
said Quarterly Meeting, it appears that the said 
Preparative Meeting has fully discharged its duty 
to the individual, the case should then be transmitted 
to the Monthly Meeting for Discipline of which the 
party is a member, and left under its care, and he 
or she ought from that time to refrain from attending 
any such meetings, until they shall be again recom- 
mended or appointed as at first. 

MODERATIONS AND TEMPERANCE. 

It is a consideration claiming our serious regard, 
that our worthy ancestors, having their views 
directed towards an enduring inheritance, and their 
affections established upon things above, sought not 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 59 

after the splendor of this world. In minds thus bent 
upon seeking a more glorious inheritance than tem- 
porals can afford, the love of this world had but 
little influence; they were conspicuous examples 
of temperance and moderation. A defection from 
this simplicity of heart and heavenly-mindedness; 
leading into the inordinate love and pursuit of the 
things of this world, hath prevailed with too many 
amongst us, and produced the fruits of pride and 
ambition. These have introduced many imaginary 
wants from which our ancestors were preserved 
by their simplicity. To satisfy these wants, some 
have been excited to enter into a larger extension of 
trade and commerce than they had stock and ability 
to conduct. Vain ambition, and an emulation in- 
consistent with the truth, have led many into 
extravagant expenses. Reduced by these means in 
their circumstances, yet unwilling to lessen their 
appearance in the world, some have resorted to in- 
direct methods to procure a temporary support, 
which have too frequently ended in failures and 
bankruptcies. 

Whilst, therefore, we hold it to be an indubitable 
truth, that moderation and temperance are insepara- 
ble from the christian religion, we affectionately 
beseech our members tc abstain from all appearance 
of evil in relation thereto. And particularly as 
respects the use of intoxicating liquors of every 
description. Is it not affectingly to be observed, 
that a baneful excess in drinking spirituous liquors 



60 NEGROES AND SLAVES. 

is prevalent amongst many of the inhabitants of our 
land? How evident are the corrupting, debasing, 
and ruinous effects consequent upon the importa- 
tion, distillation, and retailing of them, whereby 
intemperance is greatly aided and encouraged, to 
the impoverishment of many, distempering the con- 
stitutions and understandings of many more, and 
increasing vice and dissoluteness in the land, with 
which many religiously attentive minds have long 
been painfully exercised! 

It is the fervent desire of the Yearly Meeting, 
that Friends in all quarters may be earnestly ex- 
cited to suffer the affecting importance ol this evil, 
religiously to impress their minds, and that Monthly 
Meetings may labor in the spirit of love and ten- 
derness with those who use ardent spirits as an 
article of drink in harvest, or on other occasions, 
the medical use only excepted, and also with those 
who sell or grind grain for distillation, or furnish 
fruit or other materials for that purpose; and also 
such as aid the business by furnishing vessels to 
prepare or hold such liquors, or are concerned in 
conveying it to or from market, or vend, or in any 
wise aid the commerce of that article. And if such 
labor prove ineffectual to reclaim from the practice 
or encouragement of so desolating an evil, and after 
the hope of gaioing such by brotherly treatment is 
over, Monthly Meetings may proceed to disown 
them. 

NEGROES AND SLAVES. 

As a religious society, we have found it to be our 
indispensable duty to declare to the world, our belief 
of the repugnancy of slavery, to the christian reli- 
gion. It therefore remains to be our continued 



NEGROES AND SLAVES. 61 

ttoncern, to prohibit our members from holding in 
bondage our fellow men. And, at the present time, 
we apprehend it to be incumbent on every individual 
deeply to consider his own particular share in this 
testimony. The slow progress in the emancipation 
of this part of the human family, we lament; but 
nevertheless, do not despair of their ultimate en- 
largement. And we desire that Friends may not 
suffer the deplorable condition of these our enslaved 
fellow beings, to lose its force upon their minds, 
through the delay which the opposition of interested 
men, may occasion in this work of justice and mercy; 
but rather be animated to consider, that the longer 
the opposition remains, the greater is the necessity, 
on the side of righteousness and benevolence, for 
our steady perseverance in pleading their cause. 

Let us also, amidst our sympathy for the sufferers, 
not forget to cultivate those sensations, which direct 
the mind in pity towards the deplorable state of 
such men, whether in foreign countries or our own, 
as promote, procure, and execute, the tearing away 
of the Africans from their native land, as well as 
for those who detain them in bondage; remembering 
that they are men, equally interested with us in the 
rewards of futurity. Believing, therefore, as we do, 
that a just and dreadful retribution awaits the unre- 
penting and obdurate oppressor, at that awful tribu- 
nal, where sophistry will not prevail to exculpate; 
let us seek for,' and cherish, that disposition of mind 
which can pray for these enemies of humanity, and 
6 



62 NEGROES AND SLAVES. 

fervently breathe for their restoration to soundness 
of judgment, and purity of principle. 

In relation to this oppressed people, we earnestly 
desire, that such of them as may be under the care 
of any of our members, may be treated with kind- 
ness, and as objects of the common salvation, in- 
structed in the principles of the christian religion, 
as well as in such branches of school learning as 
may fit them for freedom, and to become useful 
members of civil society. Also, that Friends in 
their respective neighborhoods, advise and assist 
such of them as are at liberty, in the education of 
their children, and common worldly concerns. 

If any in membership with us, should hire slaves 
to assist them in their business, it is the judgment 
of the Yearly Meeting, that in so doing, such pro- 
mote the unrighteous traffic, and oppose our testi- 
mony against slavery. And where they cannot be 
prevailed upon to desist therefrom. Monthly Meet- 
ings are at liberty to declare their disunity with 
them. 

If any of our members should purchase slaves, to 
be liberated after a term of years, however they 
may be induced thereto, from an apparent motive 
of contributing to the cause of humanity; yet it is 
the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that it is a 
practice which ought to be discouraged; believing 
that upon due reflection it will be found, that those 
do not support a faithful testimony against slavery. 

We believe also, that a proper regard to this tes- 
timony, would lead our members to avoid acting as 
executors or administrators, to estates where slaves 



NEGROES AND SLAVES. 63 

are bequeathed, or being accessary to any step 
wliereby their bondage may be prolonged. 

The situation of those black people who have 
been held as slaves, by any of us or our predeces- 
sors, calls for our serious examination and inquiry, 
how far we are clear of withholding from them 
what, under such an exercise, may be opened to our 
view as their just right; and we earnestly and affec- 
tionately entreat those in particular, who have re- 
leased any of them, to attend to the further manifes- 
tations of duty. Even if no such obligations to 
this people existed amongst us, it is worthy of our 
consideration, whether any object of benificence is 
more deserving of our regard, than that of training 
up their youth in such virtuous principles and habits 
as may render them useful and respectable members 
of the community. 

And further, it is the conclusion of the Yearly 
Meeting, that if any of our members are concerned 
in importing, selling, or purchasing; or shall give 
away or transfer, any negro or other slave, with, or 
without any other consideration than to clear their 
estate of future incumbrance, or in such manner 
that their bondage is continued beyond the time 
limited by law or custom for white persons; and 
also, if any shall accept of such gift or assignment, 
or the proceeds of the sale of such persons, they 
ought to be speedily treated with in the spirit of 
love and wisdom, in order to convince them of the 
iniquity of their conduct; and if, after christian 
labor, they cannot be brought to such a sense of their 
injustice, as to do whatever the Monthly Meeting 
shall judge to be necessary, for the restoration of 
such slave to his or her natural and just liberty, and 



64 OATHS. 

condemn their deviation from the law of righteous^ 
ness and equity, to the satisfaction of the said 
meeting, such ought to be disowned as other trans- 
gressors are, for immoral, unjust, and reproachful 
conduct. 

OATHS. 

Our testimony against the imposition of oaths is 
founded upon the following express and positive 
command of the Author of the christian religion — 
viz. — "Ye have heard that it hath been said by them 
of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself; but 
shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say 
unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for 
it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his 
footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of 
the Great King; neither shalt thou swear by thy head, 
because thou canst not make one hair white or black; 
but let your communications be yea, yea; nay, nay; 
for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil." 
Mat. V— 33 to 37. 

This testimony we also find was clearly held up, 
and emphatically enjoined, by the apostle James, 
upon his christian brethren — "But above all things, 
my brethren," says he, "swear not; neither by hea- 
ven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: 
but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye 
fall into condemnation." — Jas. v. — 12. 

Believing therefore, as we do, that no argument 
can invalidate a prohibition thus clear and positive, 
we are bound religiously to regard it; and whilst 
we feel gratitude to our rulers for the continuance 
of that indulgence, by which our affirmation is ac- 
cepted, let us evince our sincerity in relation to 
this testimony, by faithfully maintaining it. 

And when any of our members, either in courts 
or elsewhere, violate it, either by taking or admin- 
istering oaths. Monthly Meetings are desired to 
extend brotherly labor towards them; and if they 



OVERSEERS. 65 

cannot be prevailed upon to give the necessary sat- 
isfaction, to testify their disunity with them. 

We also believe that a proper regard to the obli- 
gations of this testimony, would lead our members 
to procure such persons as witnesses to instruments 
of writings rendering them necessary, as will attest 
them by affirmation. 

OVERSEERS. 

It is the recommendation and desire of the Yearly 
Meeting, as productive of very beneficial conse- 
quences to society, that in every Monthly Meeting, 
a proper number of faithful and judicious men and 
women Friends, belonging to each of the Particular 
or Preparative Meetings, be appointed to the station 
of Overseers within the same; whose duty it is to 
exercise a vigilant and tender care over their fellow 
members; that if any thing repugnant to the har- 
mony and good order of the society appears amongst 
them, it may be timely attended to. And to pre- 
vent the introduction of all unnecessary and pre- 
mature complaints to meetings of business, it is 
advised, that if any member shall have cause of 
complaint against another, it be mentioned to the 
overseers; who are to see that the party complained 
of has been treated with, according to gospel order, 
previously to the case being reported to the Pre- 
parative or Monthly Meeting. And should com- 
plaints be made to the overseers, or other judicious 
Friends, against any of our members, by persons 
who have not a right of membership with us, the 
complaint ought not to be slighted or rejected be- 
cause the complainant is not a member, but such 
care should be extended in the case, as may evince 
that our object is the equal and impartial administra- 
tion of justice, without respect to persons. And it 
is desired, that in dealing with any, it be done in the 
6* 



QQ PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

spirit of meekness and love, patiently endeavoring 
to instruct and advise them; v^hich, if ineffectual, 
the Preparative Meeting should be informed thereof; 
that, if needful, the case may be laid before the 
Monthly Meeting; of w^hich notice should be given 
to the party, v^hen it can be conveniently done. 

It is further recommended to our Monthly Meet- 
ings, that a committee be appointed at least once in 
three years, or as much oftener as the occasion may 
require, to consider the propriety of changing the 
overseers, and bringing forv^^ard to the improvement 
of their gifts other Friends, on whom a concern for 
the vsrelfare of the society rests. And we tenderly 
exhort all our members, who may be rightly called 
into this, or any other service of the church, not 
hastily to excuse themselves therefrom, but solidly 
to consider the weighty advice of the apostle : — 
"Feed the flock ot God, which is amongst you; tak- 
" ing the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but 
" willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 
" neither as lords over God's heritage; but being en- 
" samples to the flock: and when the chief shepherd 
"shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory, 
"thatfadeth not away." 

PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

As next to our own souls, our offspring are the 
very immediate objects of our care and concern, we 
entreat all who are parents and governors of families, 
that they lay to heart the great and lasting import- 
ance to the youth, of a religious education. This 
would lead them to be solicitous, that their tender 
and, susceptible minds may be impressed with virtu- 
ous principles, and a just sense of the Divine Being, 
his wisdom, goodness, power, and omnipresence. 
They would be concerned to impress them with 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 67 

just sentiments in relation to the vanity and fallacy 
of transitory enjoyments, directing them to seek 
after that solid peace and serenity of mind attendant 
upon true religion, as the pearl of great price* 

The importance of an early instruction in the law 
of God, is set forth with peculiar strength, clearness 
and solemnity, in Deut. vi. 4, &:c. — " Hear, O Israel, 
" the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love 
" the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with 
"all thy soul, and with all thy might; and these 
" words which I command thee this day shall be in 
" thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently 
" unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when 
" thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest 
" by the way, and when thou liest down, and when 
" thou risest up." We know, that virtue does not 
descend by lineal, succession, nor piety by inheri- 
tance; yet we trust, that die Almighty graciously 
regards the sincere endeavors of" 'those "parents, 
whose early and unremitting care is over their off- 
spring for go'od. Be ye therefore examples to them 
in your meetings, your families and employments. 
Keep them, while young, out of the vain fashions, 
the corrupt customs, and unprofitable conversation 
of the world; laboring to convince their young and 
tender minds, of the propriety of restraint, when 
necessary; exhorting them in meekness, and com- 
manding in wisdom. And, as they advance in age, 
guard them against the reading of plays, romances, 
and other licentious publications, of a nature preju- 
dicial to the promotion of Christianity; likewise 



68 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

against public pastimes and pernicious diversions; 
all which have a tendency to dravi^ the incautious 
mind from a sense of religious duty, to bring it into 
a state of alienation from the Divine life, and to 
deprive it of that inexpressible comfort and delight 
attendant upon the daily excercise of religion and 
virtue. 

In much love to the rising generation, we exhort 
them to avoid the many vanities and ensnaring cor- 
ruptions to which they are exposed. Bear in mind, 
dear youth, that " the fear of the Lord is the begin- 
ning of wisdom." Take advice of godly parents, 
guardians, and friends: ever remembering that chil- 
dren ought to obey their parents in the Lord, and 
that disobedience therein is a breach of the moral 
law, and was always offensive in the Divine sight. 

With tender solicitude we press it upon you, flee 
from every thing which may have a tendency to 
despoil your innocence, and to render your minds 
less receptive of that holy influence which your 
enlightened judgment demonstrates to be truth. 
We beseech you, attend to this heavenly instructor, 
and dutifully yield to the correspondent tender ad- 
vice of your friends. Shrink not from the cross of 
Christ, in your garb, language, or manners, but 
through a subjection of your wills to the Divine will; 
in these, and all other respects, walk answerably to 
the purity of our profession and the simplicity and 
spirituality of our worship; so may you be instruc- 
tive examples to serious inquirers after truth; and 
not of those, who under a profession thereof, are 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 69 

preferring their own evil ways, and turning others 
aside from the footsteps of its followers. 

And when the pious exercise of parental care and 
authority is disregarded, and any of our youth de- 
parting from that simplicity corresponding with our 
profession, have obstinately run into, and copied 
after the vain and extravagant fashions of the world-, 
in their dress and address, and have also exposed 
themselves to the corrupting influence of evil com- 
pany, and a consequent irregularity of conduct, such 
ought to be timely and tenderly expostulated with, 
to convince them of the dangerous tendency of their 
conduct; and if they cannot be prevailed on to 
amend their ways, they ought to be treated with by 
their respective Preparative or Monthly Meetings, 
as in other cases of offence; and if, after due labor 
and forbearance, they prove irreclaimable, they 
should be testified against. 

And if any parents in membership with us, wil- 
lingly indulge their children, or youth under their 
care, in such extravagance and excess as are here 
pointed out, and persist in vindicating their conduct, 
they ought in like manner to be treated with and 
disowned. It is the desire of the Yearly Meeting, 
that Friends may bring up the youth under their 
care to habits of industry, placing them with sober 
and exemplary members of the society for instruc- 
tion, in such occupations as are consistent with our 
religious principles and testimionies; so that as far as 
in us lies, they may be preserved in a becoming 
conduct and demeanor. Also, that those whose 
circumstances may furnish them with ability for 
instructing in useful and suitable employments, the 
children of members who are in situations less 
affluent, may receive them into their families upon 
terms so moderate and equitable as to remove every 
plausible reason for placing them with those not in 
membership with us. 



70 PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS. 

PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS. 

Upon the first of these subjects, our principle is^ 
to let decency, simplicity, and utility, be our prin- 
cipal motives, and not to conform to the vain and 
changeable fashions of the world, though we may 
occasionally adopt alterations which appear conve> 
nient or useful. This is a principle, the propriety 
of which we apprehend no serious christian will 
deny; and whilst in ages of pride and extravagance 
in dress, the adoption of this rule may make us 
appear singular; yet, in relation to us, this singu- 
larity is not without its use. It is in some respects 
like a hedge about us; which, though it does not 
make the ground it encloses rich and fruitful, yet it 
frequently prevents those intrusions, by which the 
labor of the husbandman is injured or destroyed. 

The conduct which our society has adopted in 
this respect, is supported by many passages in holy 
writ. "Be not conformed to this world; but be ye 
transformed by the renewing of your mind," was 
the advice of the apostle to the christians who dwelt 
at the seat of Roman grandeur and luxury. And 
again, in relation to the female sex, "I will," says 
he, " that women adorn themselves in modest ap- 
" parel, w^ith shamefacedness and sobriety ; not 
" with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly 
"array; but which becometh women professing 
"godliness, with good works;" plainly showing that 
such adornings are contrary to the profession of 
godliness. The apostle Peter also is very full in 
his exhortations upon this subject: "Whose adorn- 



PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS. 71 

ing," saith he, let it not be that outward adorning of 
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or putting 
on of apparel ; but let it be the hidden man of the 
heart in that which is not corruptible, even the orna- 
ment of a meek and quiet spirit, wdiich is in the sight 
of God of great price; for after this manner in old 
time, the holy w^omen also, who trusted in God, 
placed not their delight in such outward decorations. 

It is, however, highly important to us, to maintain 
more than the form of godliness, and whilst we 
avoid a conformity to this world, to be careful to 
seek after that divine power which will enable us to 
fulfil the other part of the exhortation: "Be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may 
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect 
will of God." Thus, having our minds and conduct 
rightly regulated, we shall fulfill another important 
apostolic injunction: "Let not your good be evil 
spoken of." 

In our address also, we are bound to differ from 
the world in several respects; such as our using the 
singular number in speaking to a single person; our 
disuse of the appellation of Master, Mistress, &c. in 
a complimentary manner, to those who do not stand 
in these relations to us; and our calling the months 
and days of the week by their numerical names 
instead of those which are derived from the heathen 
deities, &c. From these, and other erroneous and 
corrupt practices, the spirit of truth, in which we 
profess to believe, as guiding into all truth, led our 
predecessors in religious profession, and we believe. 



72 PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS. 

Still leads us as we follow it. Our conduct in these 
respects is supported by the practices mentioned in 
holy writ, as well as by the simplicity and reason- 
ableness of it. 

The origin of applying the plural number to an 
individual, and of complimentary titles to one ano- 
ther, is to be traced to vanity and pride. Besides 
this consideration, our practice of using the singular 
number to a single person, is both more correct and 
more conspicuous, to say nothing of its consistency 
with that form of sound words recommended by 
Paul to Timothy. This is also the case with re- 
spect to our names of days and months; nevertheless 
it is not by reason and propriety alone, that our 
conduct in these things may be supported. Reli- 
gion, if an attention to the practice and precepts 
recorded in the scriptures, has a claim to that name 
also justifies our conduct. It was no doubt in allu- 
sion to the complimentary, and not to the proper 
use of the appellations of Rabbi, Father, and Mas- 
ter, that our Lord prohibited the practice amongst 
his followers. Speaking of the disposition of the 
Scribes and Pharisees, he says, "they love the upper- 
" most rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the 
"synagogues, and greetings in the markets; and to 
" be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi: but be not ye 
" called of men Rabbi, for one is your master evert 
" Christ, and all ye are brethren: and call no maa 
*' your father upon the earth; for one is your father^. 
" which is in heaven: neither be ye called masters; 
" for one is your master, even Christ." The following 



PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS. 73 

expressions of Elihu, a pious young man, mentioned 
in the book of Job, are also applicable: "Let me 
" not, I pray you, accept any man's person ; neither 
" let me give flattering titles unto man: for I know 
" not to give flattering titles, in so doing my maker 
" would soon take me away." 

Also, to give the names of heathen deities, &:c. to 
days and months, we apprehend is not only inconsis- 
tent with the "form of sound words," just mentioned; 
but is contrary to the spirit of the injunction given to 
the Israelites, as a preservative from contaminating 
themselves with idolatry. " In all things that I have 
" said unto you, be circumspect; and make no men- 
"tion of the name of other gods; neither let it be 
" heard out of thy mouth." When the reformation 
of ihe Jews was foretold by the prophets, these 
amongst other things were stated as a part: "I will 
" take the names of Balim out of her mouth: I will 
" turn to the people a pure language ; and I will cut 
" off* the names of the Idols out of the land, and they 
" shall no more be remembered." 

From religious scruples also, we cannot bow the 
body and take off" the hat in order to express our 
respect to man. The reason for this is, that it is a 
token of reverence enjoined and used in our solemn 
approaches to the Suprem.e Being, when exercising 
the religious duties of preaching or prayer. On this 
account, and not from any disrespect, we think it 
right not to confound this solemn act of reverence 
to the Almighty, with the marks of respect to our 
7 



74 



POOR. 



fellow-creatures. True civility, and due respect 
may be better shown by conduct than by compli- 
ment; and we are far from desiring to dismiss those 
social duties from our attention and regard in our 
salutations. 

We therefore tenderly exhort all, seriously to 
consider the plainness and simplicity which the gos- 
pel enjoins, and to manifest it in their habit, speech 
and deportment. A declension herein, we fear, is 
attended with hurtful consequences, in opening the 
way of some of our youth more easily and unob- 
servedly, to attend places of public resort, for the 
exercise of sports, plays, and other pernicious diver- 
sions, from which truth taught our ancestors, and 
still teaches us, to refrain. 

We also tenderly advise, that Friends take heed, 
especially those who should be exemplary to those 
under their care, that they exercise plainness of 
speech, without respect of persons, in all their con- 
verse among men; and not balk their testimony by 
a cowardly compliance, varying their language ac- 
cording to their company; a practice of very ill 
example, rendering those who use it contemptible, 
and to be looked upon as as a kind of hypocrites, 
even by those with whom they so comply. This 
seems to be cautioned against by the apostle, when 
he advises Timothy " That the deacons be grave, 
and not double-tongued;" plainly importing, that it 
is inconsistent with the gravity of the gospel. 

POOR. 

As mercy, compassion and charity, are eminently 



priest's wages, or hireling ministry. 75 

required by the Gospel, it is the desire of the Yearly 
Meeting, that the cases of our members who are in 
indigent circumstances be duly inspected, in order 
that advice and relief may be seasonably extended 
and assistance afforded them, in such business as 
they are capable of. To defray the expenses which 
their support and the education of their children will 
necessarily occasion, it is recommended to each 
Monthly or Preparative Meeting of men and women 
Friends, to be open-hearted, and liberal in subscrip- 
tions, for raising and continuing funds for those pur- 
poses. And in the exercise of this benevolent care, 
it is desired that we may always guard against un- 
necessarily exposing the names or situation of our 
fellow-members. Such also, who need pecuniary 
aid, ought to accept the deliberate advice of their 
friends, and manifest a becoming disposition to con- 
form to their solid judgment; remembering, that it 
is said, "in the multitude of counsellors there is 
safety." Pro v. xi. 14. 

Where there is an obstinate refusal to conform to 
such advice, committees are to be governed in the 
distribution of the intended liberality, by a prudent 
discretion. 

Women's Monthly Meetings are to inspect and 
relieve the wants of the poor of their own sex; and 
where their own funds are insufficient, they are to 
apply to the men's meeting for their aid and for their 
concurrence, as cases shall require. 

PRIEST'S WAGES, OR HIRELING MINISTRY. 

Let us keep in remembrance this fundamental 
principle of our profession, that it is under the im- 
mediate teaching and influence of the Holy Spirit, 
that all acceptable worship is performed, and all 
gospel ministry supplied; that this pure and power- 
ful influence, in vessels sanctified and prepared by 
the Divine hand, is the essential qualification to that 



76 QUERIES. 

work. The gift therefore being divine, the service 
is freely and faithfully to be discharged, without any 
view to reward from man, agreeably to the express 
command of Christ, our head and high-priest; "freely 
ye have received, freely give." Matt. x. 8. 

And where any of our members, are so regard- 
less of this testimony, as to contribute to the support 
of an hireling ministry, and vindicate such conduct, 
they ought to be tenderly labored with, to convince 
them of their error; but if this prove ineffectual, and 
they persist in their unfaithfulness, the Monthly 
Meetings to which they belong, should proceed to 
declare our disunity with them, such conduct being 
opposed to our testimony for the free ministry of 
the gospel, which is, "without money and without 
price." 

QUERIES. . 

In order that the Yearly Meeting may be clearly 
mformed of the state of society, the following Que- 
ries are directed to the subordinate meetings: and in 
desiring answfers to them, the design of the Yearly 
Meeting is, not only to be informed of the due ob- 
servance of the several branches of our christian 
testimony; but also, to impress on the minds of our 
members, a profitable individual examination of 
themselves how far they act consistently with their 
religious profession; and also to excite elders, over- 
seers, and other concerned Friends, to discharge 
their duty faithfully, in administering counsel and 
admonition when necessary. 

It is concluded that the following nine queries be 
read, deliberately considered, and answered in each 
Preparative and Monthly Meeting, once in the year, 
in order to convey an explicit account in writing to 
the Quarterly Meetings next preceding the Yearly 
Meeting; and from thence an account is to be for- 
warded to the Yearly Meeting. 



QUERIES. 77 

Also, that the first, second, and ninth of those 
queries be read, and considered, and explicit written 
answers be prepared for them in the two Quarterly 
Meetings preceding the one before mentioned, and 
also the Preparative and Monthly Meetings which 
report thereto. But none of the queries are to be 
read, or answered, in those Quarterly Meetings for 
Discipline which immediately succeed the Yearly 
Meeting, nor in the Preparative or Monthly Meet- 
ings which report to those Quarters. 

And further, it is not obligatory on meetings to 
read any other of the queries than such as are to be 
answered: nor is the reading and answering of them 
enjoined on any Preparative Meeting, where the 
members of that and the Monthly Meetings are the 
same. 

First Query. — Are all meetings for worship and 
discipline attended? Do Friends avoid unbecoming 
behaviour therein? And is the hour of meeting ob- 
served? 

Second. — Do Friends maintain love towards each 
other, as becomes our christian profession? Are 
tale-bearing and detraction discouraged? And when 
differences arise, are endeavors used speedily to end 
them? 

Third. — Do Friends endeavor, by example and 
precept, to educate their children, and those under 
their care, in plainness of speech, deportment, and 
apparel? Do they guard them against reading per- 
nicious books; and from the corrupt conversation of 
the world? And are they encouraged frequently to 
read the holy scriptures? 

Fourth. — Are Friends clear of importing, vend- 
ing, distilling, or the unnecessary use of spirituous 
liquors; of frequenting taverns, or attending places 
of diversion? And do they observe moderation and 
temperance on all occasions? 

Fifth. — Are the necessities of the poor, and the 
7* 



78 ANNUAL aUERIES. 

circumstances of those who may appear likely to 
require aid, inspected and relieved? Are they ad- 
vised and assisted in such employments as they are 
capable of; and is due care taken to promote the 
school-education of their children? 

Sixth. — Do Friends maintain a faithful testimony 
against a hireling ministry, oaths, military services, 
clandestine trade, prize-goods, and lotteries? 

Seventh. — Are friends careful to live within the 
bounds of their circumstances, and to avoid invol- 
ving themselves in business beyond their ability to 
manage? Are they just in their dealings, and punc- 
tual in complying with their engagements? And 
where any give reasonable grounds for fear in these 
respects, is due care extended to them? 

Eighth Query.— Are Friends careful to bear a faithful testiinony 
Rgair.ft Slavery, ovoidin? the practice of giving their suffrages, or 
iuflueate, for the elevation of Slave holders or pro-Slavery mpu to 
public ofiice, and carefully endeavoring to abstain from the proHne- 
.iona of the unpaid toil of the Slave, and do they likewise bear a faith. 
iu' le I'-i-'iony og^insl all other Pr/ze Goods ? 

i\iNTH. — Is care taken to deal with offenders sea- 
sonably and impartially, and to endeavor to evince 
to those who will not be reclaimed, the spirit of 
meekness and love, before judgment is placed upon 
them? 

It is also required that the following queries be 
read and answered once in the year, in each 
Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and a written 
report thereof forwarded to the Yearly Meeting, 
by the respective Quarters. 

ANNUAL QUERIES. 

First Query, — What new meeting settled? 

Second Query. — Are schools encouraged for the 
education of our youth, under the tuition of teachers 
in membership with us; and is each family of Friends 
furnished with a copy of the Holy Scriptures? 



GENERAL ADVICES. 79 

Third Query. — Are the queries addressed to the 
Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings read 
and answered therein, as directed? 

GENERAL ADVICES. 

It is further directed, that in the Preparative and 
Monthly Meetings, in which all the foregoing queries 
are read and answered, the following advices may 
also be read, with a suitable pause between them, 
as a mean of exciting those present to a considera- 
tion, whether there is any occasion for an extension 
of care in these respects, in relation either to them- 
selves or others. 

FRIENDS ARE ADVISED 

To observe due moderation in the furniture of 
their houses, and to avoid superfluity in their man- 
ner of living. 

To attend to the limitations of truth in their tem- 
poral business. 

To be careful to place their children amongst 
Friends; preferring those whose care and example 
will be most likely to conduce to their preservation. 

To inspect the state of their temporal affairs once 
in the year, and make their wills whilst in health. 

To apply for certificates, when about to remove, 
and to pay proper attention to those coming from 
other places, who appear as Friends, without pro- 
ducing certificates. 

And it is advised, that when occasions of uneasi- 
ness appear in any, such may be treated with in 
privacy, and with tenderness, before the matter be 
communicated to another; thus, the hands of those 
concerned in the further exercise of the discipline, 
will not be weakened by a consciousness on their 
part, of a departure from the true order of the gospel. 

It is further recommended that all our meetings 



80 QUERIES FOR MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 

for business be kept select, and that Friends endea- 
vor to manage the affairs of society in the spirit of 
meekness and wisdom, with decency, forbearance^ 
and love to each other; laboring to maintain the 
"unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." 

QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND 
ELDERS. 

The Yearly Meeting requires, that of the follow- 
ing four queries, formed for the use of the Meetings 
of Ministers and Elders, the first three be read and 
distinctly answered in writing, three times in the 
year, by each Preparative Meeting of that kind, to 
its respective Quarterly Meeting: and that all the 
said four queries shall be in like manner read and 
answered, by the Preparative to their Quarterly 
Meetings, next preceding the Yearly Meeting of 
Ministers and Eiders; in order that the Quarterly 
Meetings may be enabled to transmit a clear and 
distinct statement of those answers to that meeting. 

QUERIES FOR MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 

L Are ministers and elders diligent in the atten- 
dance of Meetings for Worship and Discipline; and 
concerned to encourage their families to that reli- 
gious duty? 

II. Are ministers, in the exercise of their gifts, 
careful to wait for divine ability? and are they 
sound in word and doctrine? 

III. Are ministers and elders in unity one with 
another, and with the meetings to which they belong? 
manifesting a religious concern for the advancement 
of truth, and the support of our discipline? 

IV. Are ministers and elders good examples in 
uprightness, temperance, and moderation, and care- 
ful to train up their families in plainness of dress, 
and simplicity of manners, becoming our religious 
profession? 



ADVICES TO MINISTERS AND ELDERS. SCHOOLS. 81 

ADVICES TO MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 

It is also desired that the following advices be 
deliberately read in each subordinate Select Meet- 
ing, at least once in the year: 

Let all, in their testimonies, be cautious of using 
unnecessary preambles, and of asserting too posi- 
tively a divine impulse; the baptizing power of truth 
accompanying their words, being the true evidence. 

Let all read the holy scriptures frequently, and 
be careful neither to misquote nor misapply them. 

Let ministers be careful how they enter upon dis- 
puted points in their testimony; or of making such 
objections as they do not clearly answer. 

Let all be cautious of interrupting the solemnity 
of meetings, by unnecessary additions towards the 
conclusion. 

Let all be careful not to hurt their service by 
tones, avoiding all affectation, and those gestures 
which do not comport with christian gravity. 

And lastly, let all dwell in that which gives ability 
to labor successfully in the church of Christ, adorn- 
ing the doctrine they deliver to others, being ex- 
amples of the believers, in word, in conversation, in 
charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. 

SCHOOLS. 

The very important subject of the education of 
our youths in piety and virtue, and giving them use- 
ful learning, under the tuition of religious, prudent 
persons; having for many years engaged the atten- 
tion of the Yearly Meeting, and advices having, 
from time to time been issued thereon, to the several 
subordinate meetings, it is renewedly desired, that 
Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings, may 
be excited to proper exertions for the establishment 
and support of schools; there being but little doubt, 
that as Friends are united, and cherish a disposition 
of liberality for the assistance of each other in this 



82 SCRIPTURES. 

interesting work, they will be enabled to make such 
provision, as would encourage well qualified persons 
to engage in this arduous employment; for want of 
which, it has been observed, that children have been 
committed to the care of transient persons, of doubt- 
ful character, and sometimes of corrupt minds; by 
whose example and influence, they have been be- 
trayed into principles and habits which have had an 
injurious effect on them, in more advanced life. 

It is therefore indispensably incumbent on us, to 
guard against this danger, and procure such tutors 
of our own religious persuasion, as are not only ca- 
pable of instructing them in useful learning, to fit 
them for business in relation to temporal concerns; 
but to train them up in the knowledge of their duty 
to God, and one towards another. 

SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. 

The holy scriptures, being the external means of 
preserving and conveying to us, an account of the 
things most surely to be believed, concerning the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh, and 
the fulfilling of the promises relating thereto, it is 
the earnest concern of the Yearly Meeting, to press 
upon Friends of all ranks, a diligent acquaintance 
with the sacred records; and that parents and heads 
of families, would, both by example and advice, im- 
press upon the susceptible and retentive minds of 
the youth, a reverent esteem for the doctrines and 
precepts of the christian religion, contained therein: 
inducing them to believe, that the same experience 
of the work of sanctification, through the operation 
of the spirit of God, to which the holy scriptures 
abundantly bear testimony, is to be witnessed by 



STOCK. TAVERNS. 83 

believers in all generations, as well as by those in 
the first ages of Christianity. Our dear youth, thus 
educated in the belief of these important truths, as 
well as of the inward manifestation and operation of 
the Spirit of God, may be prepared to receive his 
spiritual appearance in their hearts, according to our 
holy profession. 

STOCK. 

A stock having hy experience been found useful 
for the occasions of the society, and particularly in 
the application from time to time made by our 
Meeting for Sufferings, it is desired by the Yearly 
Meeting, that the same be occasionally renewed by 
a collection from each Quarter; and that it be con- 
tinued in the hands of the Treasurer, appointed by 
the meeting, and be subject to be drawn out by its 
direction, or by the Meeting for Sufferings, as the 
exigencies of society may require. 

The sums which may be thought necessary, are 
to be raised by each Quarter, in the proportions 
which may from time to time, be ascertained by the 
Yearly Meeting. 

Women's meetings are also to have a stock of 
their own for such services as may fall more pro- 
perly under their notice. 

TAVERNS. 
It is the concern of the Yearly Meeting, to cau- 
tion not only the youth but those of riper age, to 
avoid the unnecessary frequenting of taverns, and 
other places of public resort, in order that they may 
not be exposed to evil company, and unprofitable 
conversation, or be betrayed into the use of strong 
liquors, by which many have been corrupted, both 



84 TESTIMONIES OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 

in principle and practice, to the ruin of themselves 
and their families. And if any be in danger on these 
accounts, it is desired that they may be timely and 
tenderly treated with, in order to convince them 
thereof. 

Considering the snares and temptations to which 
those are exposed, who keep houses of entertain" 
ment, and the corrupting influence of many who 
resort to them, it is the desire of the Yearly Meet- 
ing, that our members may avoid engaging in such 
employments for a livelihood, and attend to the 
pointings of pure wisdom for that end. 

And it is also desired, that Friends may endeavor, 
as far as their influence extends in the community, 
to prevent the unnecessary increase of taverns, and 
to be cautious of signing petitions in behalf of those 
who may apply for licenses on that account. 

TESTIMONIES OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDG- 
MENTS. 

It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that 
offenders, whether under dealing, or disowned, who 
incline to make acknowledgment of their offences, 
shall prepare the same in writing; which ought to 
be shown, if under dealing, to the committee ap- 
pointed in their case; or if disowned, to the over- 
seers. And if the purport is judged to be suitable 
to the occasion, the party may present it to the 
Monthly Meeting, and stay till it is read: and after 
time given for a solid pause, should withdraw, be- 
fore either that, or any other business, is proceeded 
upon. The meeting is then to consider the case, 
and appoint two or more Friends to inform the party 
of the result. 



TESTIMONIES OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 85 

In all cases, those who are under dealing for of- 
fences, and who offer acknowledgments to Monthly 
Meetings previous to disownment, ought to particu- 
larize in such offerings, the matter or matters charged 
upon them. 

And in relation to acknowledgments, from those 
who have been disowned; the ground upon which 
they ought to be accepted being a belief on the part 
of Monthly Meetings of their sincerity and contri- 
tion; when this is apparent, it is not expedient to 
oblige such to recite the particular misconduct with 
which they have been charged, and which has been 
specified in testimonies of denial against them. 

When females become delinquents or violate the 
rules of our discipline, women Friends are to exer- 
cise a proper care, in the case, according to the 
general order of the society, until their Monthly 
Meeting becomes satisfied that the offenders should 
be disowned; the men's meeting should then be in- 
formed of the case, and if that meeting unite in 
judgment with the women Friends, a minute thereof 
should be formed, and a committee appointed to 
prepare a testimony of disownment; the women 
Friends taking care to inform the party thereof. 
When the testimony of disownment is prepared, 
and approved by the men's meeting, it should be 
sent to the women's meeting for their concurrence 
and care in delivering it to the party. 

But should the men, on considering the case, as 
reported from the women's meeting, not be easy to 
issue a testimony against the offender, without 
appointing a committee to visit her, they may be at 
liberty to appoint a few judicious Friends, to unite 
with a committee of women Friends, to take further 
opportunities with the delinquent; the report of 
which joint committee is to be presented to the 
women's meeting, and, with their sense thereon, 
8 



86 TRADE. 

conveyed to the men's meeting, where the case is 
to be considered and finally settled. 

When a disowned person removes without the 
verge of the Monthly Meeting of which he or she 
has been a member, and becomes concerned to be 
again united to the society, such person may make 
application to the Monthly Meeting within the com- 
pass of which he or she resides, giving information 
of their disownment, and by what Monthly Meeting: 
the particular occasion of disownment such Monthly 
Meeting is not enjoined to require. But if upon 
noticing the application, the Monthly Meeting be- 
lieves in the sincerity of such individual, and finds 
nothing to prevent amongst them, inquiry must be 
made of the Monthly Meeting, by which the appli- 
cant has been disowned (provided such Monthly 
Meeting exist) concerning its consent to their re- 
ception of such person, and after information there- 
from, that nothing appears to obstruct, such appli- 
cant may be by them received. 

In all cases when a Monthly Meeting apprehends 
itself under a necessity to disown a member, it is 
the desire of the Yearly Meeting, that such member, 
if his or her situation will admit of it, be previously 
informed thereof; and when a testimony of disown- 
ment is issued against such individual, a copy there- 
of should be retained on the minutes of the Monthly 
Meeting, and one offered to the party testified 
against, with a notification of his or her right of 
appeal. 

TRADE. 

It being evident, that where the manifestations 
and restraints of the spirit of truth are duly prized 
and regarded, it leads out of a bondage to the spirit 
of this world, and preserves the minds of its follow- 
ers from many fettering and disqualifying entangle- 



TRADE. 



87 



ments: and contrary wise, that an inordinate love 
and pursuit of worldly riches, often betrays those 
who are captivated by them, into many difficulties 
and dangers, to the great obstruction of the work of 
truth in the heart: we affectionately desire that the 
counsel and gracious promise of our blessed Re- 
deemer to his followers, may be borne in remem- 
brance by us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, 
" and his righteousness, and all these shall be added 
" unto you." 

The Yearly Meeting being earnestly concerned 
that the service of our religious society may not be 
obstructed, or its reputation dishonored, by any 
imprudence of its members in their worldly engage- 
ments, recommends to all, that they be careful not 
to venture upon business they do not understand; 
nor to launch into trade beyond their abilities, and 
at the risk of others: but that they bound their 
engagements by their means: and when they enter 
into contracts, or agreements, whether written or 
by words, that they endeavor on all occasions 
strictly to fulfil them, that no occasions of reproach 
may be given to truth, and the society. 

We particularly exhort, that none engage in any 
such concerns as depend on the deceptive probabili- 
ties of hazardous enterprizes; but rather content 
themselves with such a plain and moderate way of 
living, as is consistent with the self-denying princi- 
ple of which we make profession, whereby many 
disappointments and grievous perplexities may be 



88 TRADE. 

avoided, and that tranquility of mind obtained which 
is inseparable from the right enjoyment, even of 
temporal things. And it is advised, that, when any 
amongst us err, or are in danger of erring, in these 
respects, they be faithfully and timely admonished* 

It is further recommended, that Friends frequently 
inspect the state of their affairs, and keep their ac- 
counts so clear and accurate, that they may, at any 
time easily know whether they live within the bounds 
of their circumstances or not; and, in cases of death, 
that these may not be perplexing to survivors. And 
whenever any find that they have no more property 
left than is sufficient to discharge their just debts, it 
is advised that they immediately consult with some 
judicious Friends, and, without loss of time, make 
their circumstances known to their creditors, care- 
fully avoiding the payment of one in preference to 
another, that so none may be injured, nor any re- 
proach incurred by mismanagement. 

And where overseers, or other concerned Friends, 
have reason to fear that any person or family, by 
living above their means, or from a want of punc- 
tuality in fulfilling their contracts, or any other cause, 
are declining in their circumstances, and likely to 
fail, it is recommended that such be seasonably 
treated with, and, (if it appear requisite) advised to 
call their creditors together without delay; and if, 
notwithstanding this advice, such persons still per- 
sist, and run into embarrassment, to the loss of 
others, and to their own disreputation, the Prepara- 
tive or Monthly Meeting to which they belong, 
ought to be timely informed thereof, and proceed to 
treat with them according to our rules: when, if this 
labor also prove ineffectual, a testimony of denial 
may be issued against them. 

It is directed, that where such failures occur, and 



TRADE. 89 

the cases are under the care of Monthly Meetings, 
that the Friends appointed to visit the parties, in- 
quire of their assignees, or trustees, how their defi- 
ciencies have happened, and report accordingly. 
And it is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that 
neither Monthly nor other Meetings should receive 
subscriptions, donations, nor bequests, from persons 
so circumstanced, until they have paid off their de- 
ficiencies, or are voluntarily acquitted thereof by 
their creditors: for it should be remembered, that 
though in such cases, the defaulter may have been 
legally discharged, the property he may afterwards 
acquire is not properly his own, till he has fairly paid 
off* his former debts, to the satisfaction of the credi- 
tors. Wherefore, we further direct, that if any such 
person or persons, on being suitably reminded of 
their duty in this respect, shall refuse to comply 
therewith, inquiry be made into the reason, and if 
it be not such as shall satisfy the Monthly Meetings 
of which they are members, and they cannot be 
prevailed with; the said meetings, after a proper 
time of labor and forbearance, may issue a testimony 
of denial against them. 

We also desire, that when Friends accept the 
office of assignee, or trustee, they be active in col- 
lecting the effects of the estate, and punctual and 
speedy in making distribution. 

We warn our members against a pernicious prac- 
tice amongst the trading part of the community, 
which has often terminated in the ruin of those con- 
cerned therein, viz. that of raising and circulating a 
kind of paper credit, with endorsements, to give it 
an appearance of value, without an intrinsic reality; 
a practice, which as it appears to be inconsistent 
with the truth we profess, we declare our disappro- 
8* 



90 TRADE. 

bation of, and entreat every member of our society 
to avoid and discourage. 

We also caution all in membership with us, to be 
careful how they enter into joint securities with 
others, under the specious plea of rendering acts of 
kindness; many, by so doing, having been suddenly 
ruined, and their innocent wives and children re- 
duced to deplorable circumstances. "Be not thou" 
said the wise man, "one of them that strike hands, 
" or of them that are sureties for debts: if thou hast 
" nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed 
" from under thee?" 

It is the affectionate desire of the Yearly Meet- 
ing, that Friends may w^ait for divine counsel in all 
their engagements, and not suffer their minds to be 
carried away by an inordinate desire of worldly 
riches; remembering the observation of the Apostle 
in his day, and so often sorrowfully verified in ours; 
"they who will be rich, fall into temptation, and a 
snare, and erring from the faith, pierce themselves 
through with many sorrows." Even when riches 
to any extraordinary degree have been amassed, by 
the successful industry of parents, how often have 
they proved like wings to their children, carrying 
them beyond the limitations of truth, into liberties 
repugnant to our religious testimonies, and some- 
times into enterprises, which have terminated in 
irreparable damage to their temporal affairs, if not 
an entire forgetfulness of the great work of their 
souls' salvation. 



WAR. 9 1 

We do not condemn industry; we believe it to be 
not only praise-worthy, but indispensable; it is the 
desire of great things, and the engrossment of the 
time and attention, from which we desire, that our 
dear Friends may be preserved. We doubtless owe 
duties to ourselves, and our families, but do we not 
owe even ourselves to our all-wise, all-protecting 
and provident Creator? 

WAR. 

' Believing, as we do, that the spirit of the Gospel 
breathes " peace on earth and good will to men," it 
is the earnest concern of the Yearly Meeting, that 
Friends may adhere faithfully to our ancient testi- 
mony against wars and fightings, avoiding to unite 
with any in warlike measures, either offensive or 
defensive; that by the innocency of our conduct, we 
may convincingly demonstrate ourselves to be real 
subjects of the Messiah's peaceful reign, and be 
instrumental in the promotion thereof, towards its 
desired completion: when, according to ancient 
prophecy, " the earth shall be full of the knowledge 
" of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea; and its 
"inhabitants shall learn war no more." 

In relation to this testimony, it is our judgment 
that when goods have been distrained from any, on 
account of a refusal to pay fines for non-performance 
of military services, and the officers, after deducting 
the fines and costs, propose to return the remainder, 
that Friends should maintain their testimony by 
suffering, rather than accept such overplus, unless 
the same, or a part of it is returned, without a change 
of the species. 

That furnishing wagons, or other means for con- 
veying of military stores, is a military service: and 
the care oi elders, overseers, and faithful Friends, 



92 WAR. 

should be extended, in christian tenderness and love, 
to such as deviate herein, in order to convince them 
of their error. 

And that a tax levied for the purchasing of drums, 
colors, or for other warlike uses, cannot be paid 
consistently whh our christian testimony. 

It is the fervent concern of ihe Yearly Meeting, 
to recommend to the deep attention of all our mem- 
bers, that they be religiously guarded against appro- 
ving or showing the least connivance at war, either 
by attending at, or viewing of military operations, 
or in anyv/ise encouraging the unstable, deceitful 
spirit of party, by joining with political devices or 
associations, however speciously disguised, under 
the ensnaring subtleties commonly attendant there- 
on: but that they sincerely labor to experience a 
settlement on the alone sure foundation, of pure, 
unchangeable truth; whereby, through the preva- 
lence of unfeigned christian love, and good will to 
men, we may convincingly demonstrate, that the 
kingdom we seek is not of this world; but a king- 
dom and government whose subjects are free indeed, 
redeemed from those captivating lusts, from whence 
come wars and figtings. 

And that the members of our religious society 
would carefully avoid engaging in any trade or busi- 
ness promotive of war, sharing or partaking of the 
spoils of vv^ar, by purchasing or selling prize-goods, 
importing or shipping goods in armed vessels, pay- 
ing taxes for the express purpose of war, or from 
pecuniary motives grinding of grain, feeding of cat- 
tle, or disposing of their property, for the use of the 
army; that through a close attention to the moni- 
tions of divine grace, and guarding against the sup- 
pression of it, either in themselves or others, they 
may be preserved in a conduct consistent with our 
holy profession, and from wounding the minds or 
increasing the sufferings of each other; not at all 



WAR. 93 

doubting, that he to whom appertains the kingdom, 
and the power, who is wonderful in working, will 
continue to carry on and perfect his blessed cause of 
peace on the earth. A due attention to this concern 
is recommended to Quarterly, Monthly, and Prepa- 
rative Meetings, and to Friends in general; it being 
the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that if any of 
our members do, either openly, or by connivance, 
pay any fine, penalty, or tax, in lieu of personal 
service for carrying on war, or allow their children, 
apprentices, or servants, who are members, to act 
therein, or are concerned in arming or equipping 
vessels with guns, or deal in public certificates issued 
as a compensation for expenses accrued, or services 
performed in war, that they be tenderly treated with, 
and if they cannot be brought to an acknowledg- 
ment of their error, Monthly Meetings are author- 
ised to disown them. 

It is further the sense and judgment of the Yearly 
Meeting, that it is inconsistent with our religious 
testimony and principle, for any Friend to pay a 
fine or tax, levied on account of their refusal to mus- 
ter or to serve in the militia, although such fine or 
imposition may be applied towards defraying the 
expenses of civil government; and where deviations 
in this respect occur, tender dealing and advice 
should be extended to the party, in order to their 
convincement and restoration; and if this prove 
ineffectual. Monthly Meetings should proceed to 
disown them. 

And finally, dear Friends, upon the calamitous 
subject of war, you are not ignorant of what adorns 
our profession. Let us seek peace and pursue it, 
remembering that we are called to love. Oh! that 
the smallest germ of enmity might be eradicated 
from our enclosure: and truly there is a soil in which 



94 WILLS. 

it cannot live; this soil is christian humility. May 
we therefore be peaceable ourselves, in words and 
actions, seeking for that disposition, in which we can 
pray to the Father of the Universe, that he may 
breathe the spirit of reconciliation into the hearts of 
his erring and contending creatures. 

WILLS. 

Knowing how quickly many are removed by 
death, it is weightily recommended by the Yearly 
Meeting, that care be taken by each Monthly Meet- 
ing, that Friends who have estates to dispose of, be 
advised to make their wills in time of health, and 
strength of judgment, and therein to direct their 
substance as in justice and wisdom may be to their 
satisfaction and peace; laying aside all resentment, 
though occasion may have been given, lest it should 
go with them to the grave; remembering we all 
stand in need of mercy and forgiveness. Making 
such wills in due time can shorten no one's days; 
but the omission or delay thereof to a time of sick- 
ness, when the mind should not be diverted from a 
solemn consideration of the approaching awful pe- 
riod of life, has often proved very injurious to many, 
and been the occasion of creating discontents and 
animosities in families, which the more seasonable 
and deliberate performance of this necessary duty 
might have prevented. 

We also recommend to Friends, to employ per- 
sons of competent legal knowledge, to write their 
wills, as great inconvenience and injury to families 



YEARLY MEETING, 95 

has sometimes happened, through the unskilfulness 
of some who have taken upon them to write wills. 

We further desire, that executors and trustees, 
concerned in wills, and settlements, may take espe- 
cial care to discharge faithfully their respective 
trusts, according to the intent of the donors and tes- 
tators; and that all charitable gifts, legacies, bequests 
and settlement of estates, by will or deed, intended 
and given for the use of the poor, the aged, the im- 
potent, or for the education or apprenticeships of the 
children of poor Friends, may not be appropriated 
or converted to any other uses than such as the 
donors or testators have directed. A violation 
herein, being an obvious perversion of justice, of- 
fenders in these respects should be dealt with; and 
unless they make due satisfaction to the injured 
parties, and to the meeting to which they belong, 
should be disowned. 

YEARLY MEETING, 

Indiana Yearly Meeting was set off from the 
Yearly Meeting of Ohio, and is composed of Friends 
in the states of Indiana and Illinois and in the west- 
ern parts of the State of Ohio, &c. The first Yearly 
Meeting in Indiana was held at White Water, in the 
Tenth month, 1821. It is now established to be 
held at White Water, in Wayne county, Indiana, 
on Fifth-day, preceding the first First-day in the 
Tenth month, each year, at eleven o'clock in the 
morning. A meeting for worship will be held on 
Fourth-day preceding, at eleven o'clock, and two 
on First-day following, one at ten in the morning, 
and the other at three in the afternoon. 

The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is 
held on Third-day preceding the Yearly Meeting, 
at eleven o'clock in the morning. 

The representatives from the Quarterly Meetings 



96 YEARLY MEETING. 

both men and women, are annually to choose a devkf 
and an assistant, at the close of the first sitting of 
the Meeting for Discipline, whose names are to be 
reported at the opening of the next sitting. 

Representatives having the care of the Repolts 
from the Quarterly Meetings, are to put them into 
the hands of the clerk to the meeting for the prece- 
ding year, before the opening of the Meeting for 
Discipline, in order that time may be saved to the 
meeting, by a previous entry of the names of repre- 
sentatives. No representative ought to withdraw 
from the Yearly Meeting before it ends, without 
leave being first requested and granted. 

All communications directed to the Yearly Meet- 
ing, except from such meetings as correspond regu- 
larly therewith, are to be previously perused by a 
nomination of Friends for the purpose ; who are to 
consider and report, whether the same be proper to 
be read in the Yearly Meeting. 

The design of our Annual Meetings in their first 
constitution, being in order to a general oversight, 
and care of the Churches, pertaining to our christian 
communion, it remains to be our fervent desire, that 
good order, unity and concord may be maintained 
amongst us. We know that love and unity, founded 
upon christian principles, are promotive of truth and 
righteousness amongst ourselves, and we believe 
also, that when conspicuous in us, they have their 
influence upon those around us. Under these con- 
siderations, we fervently desire, and humbly hope, 
that He who hath, to the present day, preserved us 
a people highly favored, will be graciously pleased 
still to animate us with a zealous concern, that love 
and good will may predominate in us individually, 
and that union, peace, and concord, may prevail in 
every department of the family. And finally, 
Friends, collectively and individually, may all our 



CERTIFICATE AND TESTIFICATION* 9? 

meetings be held with weight, as in the immediate 
presence of the Head of the Church; may the aged 
amongst us be examples of every christian virtue, 
and evince by the calmness of their evening, that 
their day has been blest: May the middle aged not 
faint in their stations; but together with their elder 
and younger brethren, firmly support, yea, exalt the 
several testimonies which we are called to maintain. 
And, Oh! may the beloved youth bend early and 
cheerfully, under the forming power of truth; that 
each standing in his allotment, the harmony of the 
building may be preserved, and we truly grow up 
into a holy Temple for the Lord. 



The following are recommended as suitable forms for Certificates of 
Removal, and Testifications, to be varied according to circumstances : 
CERTIFICATE OF REMOVAL. 

To M Monthly Meeting' of Friends. 

Dear Friends, 

A. B., and C. his wife, members of this meeting, having 
removed with their minor children, D., E., and F., and 
settled within the limits of your meeting, request has been 
made for our certificate of their right of membership. This 
is therefore to certify, that on due inquiry respecting their 
conduct, and the proper adjustment of their outward affairs, 
no obstruction appears to the issuing of a certificate in their 
behalf. We therefore recommend them to you, and remain 
in love, your friends. 

Signed by direction and on behalf of S Monthly 

Meeting of Friends, held month 18 — . 

T. R. 



Y. Y., Correspondent, R. T. ^ ^^e^^*' 

TESTIFICATION. 

A. B., who has had a right of membership in the Society 

of Friends, has for which he has been 

treated with without the desired effect: — we therefore dis- 
own him from being a member with us. 

Signed in and by direction of Monthly Meeting 

of Friends, held day of 18 — . 

9 • ' C. I)., Clerk, 



\> 



(> 



>tjp*ii 



^f 



M 






i!ii#'"^^'^ 



;- *-^'*T^ 



m-$ 





CO 



CM 
Cvl 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



022 015 900 



f..;^*^'^ 






[i^ 

^r' 



